PORTLAND, Maine — A Patriot Riders member was injured after he crashed his motorcycle in Portland on Saturday morning. He was on his way to Baxter State Park to take part in the Summit Project as part of a procession of about 100 motorcycles.
Maine State Police say several motorcycles and a car were too close to each other when one of the bikes crashed near Exit 46 on the Maine Turnpike. The motorcycle procession had just entered the Turnpike when the incident occurred.
Investigators say the driver of the car hit her brakes to slow down, and the motorcyclist immediately behind her was too close for safety.
“He was in a panic braking situation,” Trooper Richard Maguire said of Christopher Chase, 45, of Wells.
Troopers say Chase laid down his bike to avoid a full-on crash, and did not hit the car.
Chase was taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment of a broken ankle and road rash. His wife, Barbara Chase, who was on the back of the bike, suffered minor injuries including road rash, Maguire said.
No one else was involved in the crash, and no charges will be filed. Maguire said that all the motorcycles in the procession behind Chase and his wife stayed at the scene while emergency responders helped the couple.