Oregon Motorcycle Wipeout Caught on Video

The motorcycle dropped onto its side and the operator went down onto the pavement as the radar unit obtained a speed of 85 mph.

Photo and video courtesy: Oregon State Police

(THE DALLES, Ore.) - Video Released of Motorcyclist Crashing Next to OSP Trooper Reminder To Slow Down and Pay Attention‏

Oregon State Police have released video of a serious motorcycle crash from June 18th that was recorded by a patrol car video camera.

Oregon State Police spokesman Gregg Hastings says the in-car video caught the sliding motorcycle and rolling operator as both passed the trooper's stopped patrol car along Interstate 84 in The Dalles.

OSP chose to release the clip after the motorcycle rider pled guilty to Careless Driving. In the video, he tumbles into the frame after losing control and becoming separated from his motorcycle.

"Following several recent serious injury and fatal traffic crashes, some involving motorcycles, the video is a great example of why it is so important to drive at the posted speed limits, to be aware of your surroundings and not be distracted." OSP The Dalles Area Command Sergeant Pat Shortt said.

"It only takes a second for something to happen that you may have to react to while keeping your vehicle under control."

He says OSP Senior Trooper Michael Holloran was sitting in his stopped OSP patrol car on June 18th 2009 at 7:18 a.m. on the right eastbound shoulder of Interstate 84 near milepost 85 writing information in his notebook.

"With the patrol car's radar unit on, Holloran heard an approaching fast vehicle and began to look in the side mirror when he saw a motorcycle lose control. The motorcycle dropped onto its side and the operator went down onto the pavement as the radar unit obtained a speed of 85 mph."

The sliding motorcycle and rolling operator both went past the stationary patrol car and surprised the parked trooper. Shortly after the motorcycle's operator, 31-year old Kenneth Carl Theiman Jr. of Dallesport, Washington, stopped rolling, Holloran got out of the patrol car and ran up to help as the cyclist was picking himself up off the pavement. Theiman told Holloran that he was surprised how quickly things happened when he lost control of the motorcycle. Theiman thought his speed was about 85 mph when he lost control.

Theiman was transported by ambulance to Mid-Columbia Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, mostly abrasions. He was wearing a protective helmet. Holloran cited the rider for Careless Driving and he pled guilty in Wasco County Circuit Court.

Video Source: Oregon State Police (Note: there is no audio until the end of the 47 second video clip)

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