NORTHPORT, Maine — A Northport man died Saturday evening in what Maine State Police said is the second motorcycle fatality of the riding season.
Donald “Skip” Rogers, 64, had been riding a Harley-Davidson on Route 52 about 6:30 p.m. when he went off the road on a curve and flipped into a ditch, according to state police spokesman Stephen McCausland.
Rogers was not wearing a helmet and the likely cause of his death is head injuries.
“Alcohol is a likely factor in the crash,” McCausland said.
Road conditions were good at the time of the crash. Four state police troopers went to the scene.
According to McCausland, Rogers’ death is one of six highway fatalities that occurred over the weekend.
No comments good or bad can bring the man back or provide much comfort for his family members.
For those who ride…a reminder that bikes and alcohol never mix and helmets do provide some level of head protection. But drinking and helmets are still personal choices.
Very sorry for the loss of this community member and for his family. Tragic. However, not wearing a helmet and drinking and driving are not similar personal choices. One is legal and the other is not. Fortunately, when this man made this very poor decision, he didn’t take out anyone else with him.
I don’t ride motorcycles, so can’t really speak from a position of experience. Can someone who does let me know the reason not to wear a helmet?
if you look at the real statistics (not the ones that are manipulated) you have a 50/50 chance of being saved by a helmet. it reduces your ability to hear and it also can leave you paralyzed with severe neck injuries. I wear a helmet when I ride. My husband chooses not to – he gets claustrophobic. we both cover up – leather jacket, leather gloves, boots and long pants are a must.
You can’t hear any better without a helmet because of the wind roaring in your ears. Try it and you’ll quickly realize what a lot of silliness that excuse for not wearing a helmet is. It’s usually put forward by those with straight pipes so they can’t hear anything but their own engine anyway. A helmet will never be the cause of you being seriously injured or paralyzed. If the statistics show that riders with helmets are likely to be injured, the other half of that is helmetless riders are more likely to be dead.
My head is too big, I can’t find one that fits comfortably for more than 15 minutes. And what 123boo said about neck injuries.
My boyfriend was hit on his motorcycle by a teen driver. After the accident we saw the car, it had a watermelon sized dent in it from my boyfriend’s helmet. Everyone involved agreed that his helmet saved his life that night, if he ever decides to get back on a bike he’s already sworn to wear a helmet every time.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this man. Everyone knows that drinking and driving don’t mix, nobody needs to get on their soapbox and make them feel worse about his mistake.
Apparently everyone does not know, or this may not have happened And if everyone stood on a soapbox about the dangers of drinking and riding/driving…this tragedy may have been prevented. Coming from someone who lost a loved one when hit by a drunk driver, I wish more would speak out and stop their loved ones when they can. EVERYONE needs to speak out, and stop caring about possibly upsetting someone.
I think his family is already upset enough. This is not the place.
This is so sad