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Miami City Buzz Examiner posted an article late Thursday evening about how legendary motorcycle dealer, Bruce Rossmeyer, had been killed riding his Harley-Davidson en route to Sturgis bike rally.
At that time, the information that was being reported from witnesses of the accident was Rossmeyer had been "struck by an RV, which strayed into his lane", tragically leading to his death.
One reader's comment following my article, Bruce Rossmeyer, Harley-Davidson motorcycle mogul, died today, has inquired into the details of what really happened and who was to blame for the accident.
BJ says:
According to a report on Jacksonville.com, Lt. Shawn Dickerson of the Wyoming Highway Patrol has described the accident as follows:
"'The pickup slowed and activated his left signal. Four of the motorcycles passed to the left. When Mr. Rossmeyer attempted to pass, the truck made its left turn and he hit the driver's side door. The sixth motorcycle swerved to the right and avoided collision.'
Rossmeyer, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and came to rest under the camp trailer, Dickerson said. He was declared dead at the scene.
Dickerson described the road as 'straight, dry and flat.' He said the 'extremely rural road' is an option to Sturgis, but not the primary way to travel there. 'We do see an influx of motorcycle traffic this time of year,' he said. 'But we're still eight hours away.'"
News Journal online has posted an alleged copy of the accident report from the Wyoming Highway Patrol which details how the incident occurred:
The roadway at the time of the crash was dry with clear weather conditions. Both vehicles were eastbound on WYO 28. Rossmeyer was traveling with a group of five other motorcycles. Rossmeyer was behind the VanValkenburg vehicle which was pulling a 2 axle camper style trailer. VanValkenburg braked and used his vehicles left turn signal to indicate he was going to make a turn from WYO 28 onto a small dirt road. VanValkenburg was in the process of making his left turn when Rossmeyer attempted to pass the VanValkenburg combination on the left. Rossmeyer collided into the drivers side door of the VanValkenburg pickup. The collision occurred near the westbound shoulder. After impact, Rossmeyer was ejected from the motorcycle and came to rest partially under the trailer near the passenger side tires. Troopers investigating this crash have determined that the turn signals and the brake lights were in working condition on the VanValkenburg combination. It is unknown why Rossmeyer did not see the turn signal/ brake lights.
For those who prefer to obtain their own copy of the accident report, it is stated on Wyoming Highway Patrol website that requests can be made for a Copy of Crash Reports.
Wyoming Department
Contact:
WYDOT
Accident Records
5300 Bishop Bovid.
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009
(307)777-4450
Crash Reports cost $3.00
To Request Copies of Crash Photos or Video:
Contact Captain Larry Jordan
Wyoming Highway Patrol
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009
(307)777-4309 or FAX (307)777-4959
C.D.'s of crash photo's or videos cost $30.00
Comments
Thank you.
Did the driver of the truck not see the other bikes go buy and then not look in his mirror and see more coming before turning, how about the truck driver not paying attention? Mr. Rossmeyer was a very cautious rider and it does not matter if he was not wearing a helmet, that was his choice and it would have not helped. so many people think that helmets save lives, it all depends on the accident. don't keep blaming the helmet issue. He was a GREAT man and Leader. he will be missed by so many in this country, The Harley Davidson world has lost a ICON of Motorcycles. God Bless Mr. Bruce Rossmeyer. Ride safe in them clouds Mr.R
You are being so one sided. Yes he choose not to wear a helmet just as he choose to make an unsafe move on his motorcycle. He as well as the others should have known better than to pass that way if they were such cautious and experienced riders. They should most of all know how hard it is to be seen on a bike. I see this happen to often bikers don't want to STOP and put their feet down and take chances like they did. It is not worth it. And it is not fair to blame the driver of the truck. Do you really think that he wanted to hit this man. How do you know what he could see or not see. He certainly should not have had to give the right of way to the illegally passing bikers.This did not have to happen- what was the hurry???? Oh and go ahead don't wear a helmet. You are right its your choice. Its you brain.
OK, so another idiot Harley rider dies from an accident he PROBABLY could have lived through, if he had been "uncool" enough to wear a helmet. Natural selection at it's finest, goodbye and good riddance.
That's my question also, 4 bikes have just passed you why would you not look in your rear view mirror to make sure there were no others.
Car Driver why do you say they were passing illegally, what, was there a yellow line or something. And how do we know he actually had his blinker ON, was it still ON when the police got there? Of course someone isn't going to admit they didn't have their blinker ON. I commute 64 miles everyday in New England one way and the MAJORITY of people DO NOT use their blinkers. Peole today have lost all sense of responibility and have just become too lazy to do the basics, like keeping in your lane, not crossing the middle line or fog line, turning your lights ON. To me it's just plain laziness, talking, texting, reading, doing your makeup, etc.
And get off the helmet issue because it isn't going to do anything when you're against much bigger vehicles with inattentive drivers behind the wheel.
Bottom line a major individual is gone too soon.
Realist, that's a really bigoted way to look at the situation. I'm a rider, and yes, I wear a helmet, but in this situation, no matter whose fault it was, it PROBABLY would NOT have saved him. Ride a bike and understand before you speak.
I would like to hear if the other riders saw the left directional? It is a sad thing when anyone passes on and there was a way to avoid the situation and here it sounds like there was. Maybe the vehicle was slowing down greatly to prepare to turn onto a dirt road as the reports states. Going from a main paved road to a dirt road with a trailer in tow does require a good slow down period. I am sure the brake lights worked. Maybe paitience was lost and chances were taken. Maybe the driver should have looked for more riders since 4 already passed, maybe the blinker was on, maybe iot wasn't and a pull off to the right was expected? It sounds like another accident to me. I ride and always try to prepare for anyobne around me to do something at any time to harm me. That attitude has saved me many times and I hope it continues to work that way. I also know that my time can come any ride, and I think all riders know that but we still get on and go. It is a risk I fell that is worth taking. RIP
Why do the pro's and cons always have to jump in brfore the facts are know. just shut up until you know what happened . Riding for 47 years
My dear Greg, I do use my signal always! Passing a car on the left with a left turn signal on is illegal. What responsibility does the biker have-none. Yes that is the attitude I would expect they own the road and have no responsibility. Right. Even though the biker ran into the truck not the other way around. And again you don't know if a helmet would have helped you never will now. Read my previous comment over and over maybe you will get eventually.
A friend of mine was cited for making a left turn while some guy was passing him, causing the same kind of collision. Fortunately, there was no death. Apparently, in the state of Florida, you have to yield the right of way to ALL other vehicles when turning left. That's what our local police officer said. Do we know what the law is in the state of Wyoming? The law is really the issue here, isn't it? Helmets are irrelevant. I bought my first Harley from Bruce in Daytona back in '96. He is the real thing. Like any other biker, we all gamble with our lives every time we saddle up. I'm sorry to see another man down
Im sadden to hear the lose of Mr. Rossmeyer. But passing on the left on a rural road is always dangerous and should be avoided if possible. And if you are behind some one no matter what I feel you are at fualt if you strike their automobile, whether in the side or rear. I believe Mr. Rossmeyer made a bad judgement he was not like some of the "road warriors' many people loath. He strived for bikers rights and for the freedom of the roads.
My sympathy goes out to the family.
I'm outta Florida, been ridin' and drivin' tractor-trailers since I was itty-bitty... Uncle Jack was a WWII Sea-Bee, and I came by it young and honest.
After driving back and forth across our great country and riding through just a fraction of the(got a great dream-ride planned...) country I've seen. But, I trucked a LOT through Wyoming under all kinds of conditions. I wonder what REALLY happened, in the split-second sense of the word. Those are wide-open spaces out there, and though I'm not specifically aware(gonna research it right after I get done runnin' my yap...) of individual state's laws, I can tell you that in Florida you are required to ascertain that the left lane is clear of overtaking traffis before you effect your signaled turn. Yeah, sure. You're signaling the turn, but we all know that either due to happenstance or ignorance, that poo-poo DOES occur. That's why the law is written that way here, so as to avoid "unnecessary, preventable accidents". RIP, Ross.
hey realist with comments like that i hope and pray your the next to feel the pavement! its people like you that need to crash and burn not people like bruce! regauardless what bike he was on or with or without a helmet! only people like you you jerk deserve to die and you will carma baby!!!!
Why waste time responding to realist? He's an idiot quite used to being ignored for mindless comments. I expect he's a Gibraltar of useless and mindless opinions. He's dangerous on the road however so give him a wide berth.
Comments about the truck driver should be watching for more motorcycles that may be passing. Keep in mind that his first priority of the truck driver is watching where HE is going. If he is fixated on watching his rear view mirror he himself probably would have crashed. At some point in time the truck driver had to assume there were no more vehicles going to pass so he did what he was supposed to do and that was slow down, turn on the turn signals, and then turn. Given he had a trailer behind him I would assume that he turned slowly so as not to over turn the trailer. Given this the truck driver's intentions should have been obvious to the bikers or any vehicle following the truck. Ask yourselves how often do you keep watching the rear view mirror when making a left hand turn???
Another tragic incident that could have been avoided by good defensive driving. You are vulnerable on a bike, and must always back off in tricky situations. When on a bike, you need to be extra careful. This was a preventable accident that should not have happened.
I've been riding for 15 years, with no mishaps. Defensive driving is my top priority and I wear a helmet at all times, and I don't care who disapproves of that.
Harry
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Rossmeyer's family and ALSO to the driver of the truck/trailer. I'm sure he feels terrible also. It was an ACCIDENT no matter whose fault people feel it may be. It also brings to ponder the question of ARE YOU READY TO DIE? This shows it can happen in an instant, and eternity if FOREVER. Each of us should search our soul and have peace of where our eternity will be spent. Got Jesus? If you're not sure, please seek out someone who can share Jesus with you... and find the peace that passes all understanding... even in tragic accidents like this. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus. WHOEVER believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. The freedom we feel riding is NOTHING compared to the freedom you have with Jesus. Be a Biker for Christ. Make a difference in this world of stress/anger/hurt.
Here is the link to Sweetwater County Wyoming (www.co.sweet.wy.us/) to check the road rules. Wyoming Department of Motor Vehicals (www.dmv-department-of-motor-vehicles.com/WY_Wyoming_dmv_department_of_motor_vehicles.htm) long link. It may have a left turn law in there somewhere but the investigation officer makes the final determination regardless. That had to have been a really hard hit for Bruce. The lead rider of his group should have been more careful.
Here is all I could find about passing in Wyoming from the Wyoming Department of Transportation using drivers manual. This site does not allow links so the hteeteepee is removed.
(www.dot.state.wy.us/webdav/site/wydot/shared/Engineering_Services/Rules%20of%20the%20Road.pdf)
I got this right out of the Drivers manual for Wyoming on page 68. See below. link (www.dot.state.wy.us/webdav/site/wydot/shared/Driver_Services/Driver%20License%20Rules%20of%20the%20Road.pdf)
Motorcycles are not easily identified in traffic. Even when seen it’s difficult for some drivers to judge how far away the cyclists are or how fast they are traveling. Be aware of this problem.
Drivers turning left in front of an oncoming cyclist cause a large percentage of car/cycle crashes. These drivers fail to see the cyclist in traffic or they fail to judge the speed of the cyclist. The correct procedure is to look and look again. Make sure you identify the motorcycle as a critical object and know its speed before you make a left turn.
Safety? SAFETY!!!? Bwahhh-haaa-ha---haaaaa!!!! And you have to ask if you keep lookin' at yer rear-view when yer makin' a left? And you say a truck driver's supposed to be lookin' at WHERE he's goin'? Who do YOU work for, Werner? Ain't no wonder all those blue trucks dump their tandems in the ditch, or worse... SAFETY!!!??? -Strok-
thank you D. your words touched my heart.
Wyoming code does not requires you to yield to overcoming traffic, only oncoming. I can't speak to the east coast but that's true in most western States
You people just don't get it. You make not sense. You don't pass a car that is turning and signaling that they are turning on the side that they are trying to turn to. Its that simple. Can't make it any more simple. You stop and wait for them to turn. At most you pass, if it is safe, on the opposite side. However that can also prove dangerous depending on the situation. I know this was tragic yet its happens all the time. And to all who do this it is tragic but preventable.
With the loss of another person to such a tragic accident, I can certainly tell the harley riders who respond. They are certainly quick to blame the truck driver. I drive motorcycles, motorhomes, and tractor trailers, and if the driver of the truck slowed down enough not to overturn the trailer, he must have been going very slow. For Bruce to be killed hitting the truck, I have to assume he was traveling at a very high rate of speed, and he should have been better at defensive driving on this occurance. Everyone is so quick to second guess, but how many times have bike riders past you without you even knowing they were there? With the first four bikes passing on the right, why was the left approach then taken? Sounds like irresponsibility to me that caused a tragic accident. I am not hating on bikes, but I just returned from traveling on US 129 ( The Dragon ) and the Bikers acted like they owned that road. We have to share with them, and the bikers need to share the road also.
Mr. Rossmeyer did die doing what he loved. I wonder how many of us will be able to say that at the end of our lives.
I raise my glass to you Mr. Rossmeyer. REST AND RIDE ON Brother!
RIP
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