Severe drunk driving accident kills New Jersey motorcyclists

Drunk drivers cause serious car accidents in Red Bank and throughout New Jersey. Most of these car accidents are avoidable and many severe personal injuries can also be prevented if motorists and passengers use seat belts. One segment of the New Jersey population that is most vulnerable to suffering severe injuries in a drunk driving car accident are motorcycle riders. Unlike car drivers, motorcyclists cannot strap themselves to their vehicles and frequently suffer blunt force trauma when they are thrown from their bikes.

One recent high profile drunk driving accident has led to criminal charges against an ex-New Jersey police officer and traumatized at least one motorcyclist. Authorities say that the police officer slammed into a group of seven motorcyclists who were in the Last Chance Motorcycle Club. One of the motorcyclists says that witnessing the crash has changed him forever.

“I was the last guy in the pack and I witnessed the whole thing,” the man said. “I’m never going to be the same, mentally.”

The crash killed a 52-year-old West Milford man and a 47-year-old Pompton Lakes man. Authorities say that the 49-year-old police officer was drunk when he hit the motorcyclists. This blood alcohol level was 0.11 percent, which is over the 0.08 percent limit for drunk driving. Investigators also believe that the officer was driving 51 mph in a 35 mph zone.

The accident was severe and one of the motorcycles exploded from the impact of the officer’s car.

“I can still feel the heat from the flames on my face,” one biker said. “He struck the pack like bowling pins.”

The officer was charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated assault by vehicle while driving drunk.

Source: The Express-Times, “N.J. ex-cop charged in fiery motorcycle wreck that killed 2,” Michael Buck, 7/14/11