VASSALBORO, Maine — Police say a Warren man has died after the motorcycle he was operating struck a camper being towed on Route 3 in Vassalboro.
State police say 62-year-old Paul Galipeau was driving his Harley-Davidson west at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday when he struck the camper being towed by an eastbound van that was turning onto a side road.
Galipeau was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet.
Neither the man driving the van nor his wife was hurt.
The camper suffered severe damage and the motorcycle was totaled.
The crash remains under investigation but police say neither speed nor alcohol were factors.
So sad. RIP
My thoughts are with the man and his family. So sad, to lose another fellow rider.
Must have been a blind intersection or a blind driver. It’s so sad how life can end so quickly. The road is big enough for everybody if everybody pays attention. RIP unlucky rider.
Bad luck. Wrong place at the wrong time.
I’ve owned 15 motorcycles in the past. You could not give me one today. Helmet or not-folks just don’t pay attention to bikes enough to make riding one worth the risk anymore. RIP sir.
I don’t know the circumstances in this case but I will say after many, many trips around this country that there are also a lot of motorcycle drivers out there that are just as crazy in their driving–some have scared me half to death as they zoom up behind me, then between me and another car–weaving in and out of traffic! The camper driver might have pulled out in front of the motorcyle or maybe the motorcycle driver was going to fast to stop. Either way–sad for the loss and sad for the elderly couple.
I’ve seen that too-bikes trying to fit into narrow openings because they can. There has been a 400% increase in deaths for folks riding motorcycles over 50 in the last 15 years-that’s not good.We’re losing some good folks. I’ll stay in my Toyota Tundra.
I realy hope you live a good long life.But do you know how many people get killed in pick up trucks?????
do you know how many people pull the same stunts with automobiles?????
I like driving behind the ones who keep weaving back and forth in their lane or popping their front wheel up. Most people seem to be more concered with “looking cool” than being safe. I can’t wait until they are off the roads for the winter so I can breathe a little easier at least for a few months.
Do you know how many people die in automobile accidents each year.Funny to me all people still keep driving thier cars and trucks.
certainly do–I lived in NY for 5 years–LOL! Crazy on the roads now a days, never can be careful enough, not only watching out for yourself but for the other guys as well. Too many have died on the roads this summer, very sad indeed.
Don’t get me wrong-I love bikes. I just don’t enjoy riding when I have so little faith in others to see me coming. Go to the NHTSA site and look at the stats on bikes versus vehicles in accidents. People do get killed in cars and trucks, but your chance of being seriously injured or killed on a bike is 4 times greater. I admire you for riding and I will be careful when I see you-I’m just done with it.
I wish all people would think like you.If people would look out for bikes it would be alot better.
Paul was my farrier, dependable, super nice guy. This is very sad, so sorry to read this this morning.
I wondered if it was the same gentleman. I used him as a farrier for a short time many years ago. So very sad.
Paul has been my farrier for the last 17 years. I will miss him and his knowledge greatly. Hang in there Judy and family! <3 :'-(
Left turns kill. Look twice before you go people.
Sounds to me like the camper driver turned in front of the motorcycle. Maybe he forgot he was towing something. Sad sad time for motorcycle riders these days. My heart goes out to his family and friends. RIP Paul!
Thank you sir so much for your comment.
I live a mile from this intersection ( I do not like that intersection because of the hill) and saw the accident scene shortly after it happened on the way to church. I suspected there was a motorcycle fatality from the tarp. I think the suggestion that the driver of the truck didn’t take into account the fact that he was towing something may be plausible. It looks like Mr. Galipeau hit the front of the camper, not the back, from the picture on the news website. I hope the ADA and State Police figure it out. Prayers for Mr. Galipeau and his family.
LOUD PIPES SAVES LIVES!
has loud pipes been legal, the van driver would have pulled
over when he held the loud pipes and let the motorcycle
pass first…then the van could get back on the road and make
a turn
Pull over for loud pipes? Only to get the registration number as it passes.
The trouble is that the “loud pipes” noise is pointed out the back of the bike, the opposite direction from where the driver of the camper was located so, while all those people behind the loud pipes would have been painfully aware of the bike, the guy who could have avoided the accident would not. Also, exhaust noise is relatively low pitched, which is not very directional. In other words, similar to the subwoofer of your stereo, it doesn’t much matter where you place it because listeners won’t be able to tell anyway. If you think noise is the answer, you should get a loud, high pitched whistle or horn and blow it constantly, so that way everyone will be able to tell right where you are. But that wouldn’t be very macho, would it?
youse see how belfast wanna stop us from going downtown belfast?
we all show up at the town meeting…scared them little ———– to
changin there minds
http://www.wabi.tv/news/31510/belfast-city-council-decides-not-to-put-up-motorcycle-signs
I saw him an hour and a half before this happened. Met him for the first time yesterday as he did some farrier work on a horse at work. I was pleased with his work and knowledge of horses. I was looking forward to having him as our farrier. Rest in peace and may the Lord be with you Paul.
Randy
My heart goes out to his family. Paul has been my farrier for the past 8 years . . . he was truly a wonderful man.
Sad for the lose of another rider. If he is only wearing a helmet… RIP.
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Sad. KJ reports that it was an 82 year old driver. With respect to other commenters, he may have forgotten he had the trailer… he may have forgotten to look… he may not have been able to see that far. Without an eyewitness report, we won’t know exactly who was at fault. As for Motorcyle’s juvenile comments, loud pipes absolutely would not have made a difference in this scenario at this intersection.
We are praying for Paul’s wife and children. May the Lord hold you in His hand and grant you some peace during this difficult time. We love you Judy! The Curtis Family