Westley N. Moore, 22 years old, of Corinne, Utah, is dead following a fatal motorcycle accident in Provo Canyon on August 24, 2010. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Moore was heading eastbound in on State Road 189 near mile marker 12. Witnesses reported seeing the motorcycle weaving in and out of traffic. According to reports, the motorcycle collided with the rear end of a Ford Fusion, which caused the motorcyclist to lose control and strike a guard rail. Moore was transported by helicopter to the University Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Moore’s passenger, Paige C. Weber, 19 years old of Layton, suffered broken bones in the crash but is thankfully expected to recover. Neither of the passengers were said to have been wearing helmets.
My deepest condolences go out to the family of Westley Moore for his tragic death. I also send best wishes to his passenger for a speedy and full recovery.
My first impression is that motorcycle riders should always wear helmets when they ride. The driver of motorcycle should insist that their passengers also wear a helmet. I’m not sure if Westley’s death could have been prevented with a helmet, but I’m sure it played some role. My next thought is on how the news media described Moore’s aggressive driving just before the crash. Weaving in and out of traffic is always dangerous because motorists do no expect you to be there and they can move over suddenly and without warning. Utah law requires that motorists use blinkers for a good two seconds prior to lane changes. You typically won’t be doing this if you are “weaving” in and out of traffic. As is sounds like Moore was passing or attempting to pass, it also sounds like he was going in excess of the speed limit. I have driven Provo Canyon and know that motorists tend to drive a good 5-10 miles per hour faster than the posted speed limit. If Moore was passing cars, then it sounds like he was going pretty fast.
Legally speaking, the passenger in the Provo motorcycle accident has a claim against the driver for her injuries, which sound pretty serious. If the policy is not enough to cover her claim, and she has her own insurance or lives in a household where there is an auto insurance policy, then she can tap into the “under-insured” component and make a claim.