The sun was out and the road was dry, but something caused the Shoreline woman to lose control of her brand-new Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Pamela B. Farrell was riding alongside her husband Monday when she veered off the road and crashed down an embankment on U.S. 2 west of the Stevens Pass Summit, Washington State Patrol trooper Kirk Rudeen said.
Farrell, 58, was thrown from her motorcycle. She died shortly after arriving at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
State troopers continue to investigate what caused the crash.
Meanwhile, police say there has been a spike in fatal crashes such as the one that killed Farrell.
The crashes are happening on dry roads under favorable weather conditions and don’t involve any other vehicles, Rudeen.
Troopers are seeing more inexperienced riders taking to the roads and dying, he said.
“You just can’t think it’s like riding a (bicycle). You can’t just jump on a motorcycle and think you’re good to go,” Rudeen said. “Even with a helmet and leathers, there’s nothing between you and the roadway, and the margin for error is almost nonexistent.”
While young people, mainly on sports motorcycles, are dying in crashes, troopers say they’ve seen an increase in fatal accidents involving middle-aged motorcyclists.
“We’re seeing people dying who are between 45 and 60. They can afford to get their first bike or take it up after a hiatus,” Rudeen said. “The problem is, those Harleys weigh a couple hundred pounds, and they’re a whole different animal than a car.”
The rash of fatal motorcycle crashes has the State Patrol taking to the air later this week to crack down on aggressive motorcyclists.
The patrol will use its aircraft and new infrared cameras to find motorcyclists speeding and riding erratically in Snohomish County.
The State Patrol has investigated six fatal motorcycle crashes this year in Snohomish, Island, Whatcom and Skagit counties, Rudeen said. Nearly 40 motorcyclists have died statewide this year.
Since 1999, the State Patrol has tracked a 60 percent increase in number of motorcycles licensed. During that same time, motorcycle fatalities have increased 89 percent, Rudeen said.
In about one-third of the fatal crashes, the rider was not legally endorsed to drive a motorcycle.
The State Patrol encourages riders to also take a motorcycle safety course.
Other drivers also need to pay more attention to motorcyclists, Rudeen said.
“People simply don’t see the motorcycle or register it’s there,” he said. “Drivers out there have to be careful, and motorcyclists must anticipate that people won’t see them.”
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