HOLDEN, Maine — A Hampden man was hospitalized Thursday afternoon after his motorcycle rear-ended an SUV on U.S. Route 1A, according to police.
John Quesnel, 48, was headed westbound toward Brewer when his bike hit the rear corner of a Ford Explorer driven by Andrew Sunnekalb, 49, of Bloomington, Ind., according to Holden police Sgt. Gene Fizell.
Fizell said Sunnekalb had slowed for a vehicle in front of him, causing Quesnel, who was behind Sunnekalb, to hit his brakes.
“That left Mr. Quesnel, according to witnesses, with no place to go,” said Fizell. “He braked quickly, but he did hit the passenger-side rear corner of the Ford.”
The impact sent Quesnel’s bike onto its side, and Quesnel, who was wearing a helmet, leather jacket and jeans, skidded along the side of the roadway and over an embankment, Fizell said.
The accident took place just after noontime, and traffic, which was moderate on the busy thoroughfare that connects Brewer with Mount Desert Island, was reduced to one lane while crews worked at the scene.
Quesnel was taken by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for treatment of a concussion, Fizell said. Sunnekalb was not injured.
Quesnel’s bike had extensive damage, Fizell said, while Sunnekalb’s vehicle had minor damage.
“We don’t have a clue what’s happening, but let us tell you what we don’t know!”
Did you ever notice that television episodes always end on a scene that nearly takes your breath away and puts you in a state of suspense? It guarantees that you will tune in again next week to see what happens next. Same idea here. Now we all know there is a motorcycle crash and we will all be tuning in for updates :) Brilliant way to attract an audience if you ask me.
I don’t think it could have been too serious (hopefully I’m not wrong) as there was no sign of any accident on 1A while I was traveling to school about the time this article was written.
I hope that everyone is ok!
we were going by there, shortly after it happened i would guess, it was about where the consignment shop is. there was a harley type looking motor bike that didnt look too stove up and a guy on the other side of the guardrail in the sitting position he seemed alert and coherent while people were talking and attending to him. that is what i saw going by i have no idea as to the extent of any injuries or the actual cause. i wish the man well
What did the guy look like? My dad travels that route on a Harley.
They’ve since updated the article with the gentleman’s identity- John Quesnel
Glad to hear that Mr. Quesnel was wearing a helmet & leather jacket and is okay. As I always say: ATGATT
Can you elaborate on what the letters stand for? Thanks!
ATGATT = All The Gear, All The Time. Always wear a helmet, jacket, long pants, gloves, boots and eye protection.
The impact sent Quesnel’s bike onto its side, and Quesnel, who was wearing a helmet, leather jacket and jeans, skidded along the side of the roadway and over an embankment, Fizell said.
That is something you won’t see, read or hear everyday. Someone on a Motorcycle wearing a helmet, leather jacket and jeans.
Its because all they want to report is when someone isnt.
http://www.mecalm.org (about loud cycles)
LOL, looks like we got silenced!! Fun while it lasted, though! Oh well, watch out for other drivers and go buy some lobster while they’re so good and so cheap!!!
See, if he’d have had a loud pipe, this accident could’ve been avoided……. Snort.
And THIS is exactly why helmets are your best friend. It’s a shame that more people don’t value their brains enough to protect them.
The picture caption says he had to lay down his bike, and the article says the impact sent the bike on its side.
If he laid his bike down on purpose, this is the sign of an inexperienced rider. You can always stop quicker keeping the rubber on the road, as opposed to laying the bike down.
Hope he is OK!
In Reply To……if he laid his bike down on purpose…….If you hit the rear brake hard on a motorcycle without ABS “Anti Locking Brakes” or even a bicycle, the bike will skid out from under you and lay itself down.
Maybe, But I have locked the rear tire up few times (No ABS), and have not gone down. Gone sideways a little..
I use the front brake mostly, the harder you apply the front brake, the more weight gets transferred to the front tire, and it is almost impossible to lock up the front tire with all the weight being applied to it.
But things happen quickly out there…ride careful everyone.