Vietnam Veteran Patriot Guard Rider Killed in Motorcycle Accident

Victim Of Deadly Interstate 35 Motorcycle Crash Was Vietnam Veteran
KWTX News Texas
By: Ben Griffin
May 1, 2015

A 67-year-old man who died Friday morning in a motorcycle accident on Interstate 35 was a Vietnam veteran and a member of the Central Texas chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders.

SALADO (May 1, 2015) The motorcyclist killed Friday morning when his three-wheeled bike overturned and landed on top of him following a crash with another vehicle on Interstate 35 in Salado was identified Friday evening as Robert D. Binkely 67, of Round Rock.

Binkely was a Vietnam Veteran and member of the Patriot Guard Riders, Ron “Joker” Smith of the Patriot Guard Riders Central Texas Region said.

Binkley participated in more than 850 honor missions over the past five years, Smith said, and was dedicated to veterans and the veterans’ community. read more here

Oregon Marine Killed In Motorcycle Accident Escorted Home

Community Shows Respect for Fallen Soldier's Return Home 
KDRV News
KASEY KERSHNER
April 5, 2015

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- Dozens of people lined Highway 99 in Central Point on Saturday night to honor the homecoming of a fallen soldier.

The body of Corporal Nicholas Hart with the U.S. Marine Corps was escorted to a Central Point funeral home by local police, military groups, and civilians who wanted to show their respect.

Last Friday, March 27th, 21-year-old Hart was in an accident on his motorcycle and died near San Diego.

On Saturday, his body was flown to Portland so it could be brought to Southern Oregon through a dignified transfer.
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Camp Pendleton Marine Killed in Motorcyle Accident

Camp Pendleton Marine Dies in 805 Freeway Motorbike Crash

The man was 34-year-old Sacramento resident.
Patch.com
By Mirna Alfonso (Patch Staff)
March 23, 2015

A 34-year-old Camp Pendleton Marine was killed early over the weekend in a crash on Interstate 805 in Kearny Mesa.

The Marine, a Sacramento resident, crashed his speeding motorcycle into a Honda Accord, which had just been struck by a hit-and-run driver in the northbound lanes near exit ramp to Balboa Avenue about 3:45 a.m., Saturday, according to the California Highway Patrol and the county Medical Examiner’s Office.

He died at the scene.
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Fatal Motorcycle Accident Claims Camp Lejeune Marine's Life

Camp Lejeune Marine dies in motorcycle wreck 
WCTI 12 News
Leland Pinder
Jan 25 2015

The NC Highway Patrol confirmed a Camp Lejeune Marine died in a motorcycle wreck early Sunday morning.

Officials said Philip Woodson, 21, died on impact when he was thrown from his motorcycle on Highway 258 near Blue Creek Road. They said Woodson was driving at about 120 mph in a 45 mph zone.

His motorcycle veered off the road then hit a guard rail. He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Trooper M. Kirk, troopers responded to the scene shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday.

He said investigators spent five hours at the scene.
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Vietnam Veteran Fatal Motorcycle Accident Hours After Helping Others

Motorcycle crash victim was Vietnam veteran devoted to community service
Ocala Star Banner
By Austin L. Miller Staff writer
Published: Thursday, January 22, 2015

Hours before the accident, Whittier said, they talked about the next fundraiser for Veterans Helping Veterans. Harrison served on the organization's board of directors and helped with children's programs. In 2014, Harrison helped raise roughly $130,000 through a golf tournament.

Donald M. Harrison Jr., the motorcyclist killed Wednesday in a crash on North U.S. 441, was a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran involved in local charities.

Donald Harrison

Photo courtesy of Mike Sizemore

Harrison's friends described the 64-year-old retiree as a generous man who helped raise money for the nonprofit Veterans Helping Veterans and other causes.

Harrison died after the 2011 Harley-Davidson he was riding was hit by a 2002 Ford Escape as the SUV was attempting to cross U.S. 441, according to the Ocala Police Department. The other driver, Charles E. Griffin, stopped nearby at the intersection of U.S. 441 and Northwest 22nd Street.

The impact sent both Harrison and his motorcycle into a ditch. Richard Donahue, a U.S. Navy corpsman driving by, stopped and, with an Ocala police officer, performed CPR on Harrison until emergency medical personnel arrived.
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Fatal Motorcycle Accident Claims Marine Veteran's Life

Parents grieve for son, an ex-Marine who was killed in motorcycle accident
Jacksonville.com
By Derek Gilliam
Jan 19, 2015

A fatal motorcycle crash killed a former U.S. Marine Saturday night on Jacksonville’s Westside, the family told the Times-Union.

Rodney Keith Housand said he believes his son — 28-year-old Richard “Ricky” Housand — was on his way to visit a friend when a sports utility vehicle turned into his path near Plymouth Street and Cassat Avenue about 8 p.m. about three blocks from where his friend lives.

Ricky Housand died at the scene.

Rodney Housand said his son always wore a helmet and had been riding motorcycles for years.

“He was a very safety conscious rider,” he said.

Ricky Housand was a member of The American Legion Post 137 where other members nicknamed him Sheldon from the popular television show “The Big Bang Theory” because of some slight social awkwardness.

“He was really overcoming that and they accepted him and it was all good,” he said.
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If you want to know how something like this can happen watch this from a motorcycle escort we had Saturday for a double amputee Marine.

Fort Hood Soldier Killed in Motorcycle Crash

Fort Hood soldier dies in Killeen motorcycle crash
American-Statesman Staff
By Andrew McLemore
Sept. 21, 2014

A 23-year-old soldier died in an Army hospital Saturday night after a motorcycle crash in Killeen early that morning, police said.

He was riding his 2014 Harley Davidson on the 500 block of North 38th Street at about 8:30 a.m. when a 17-year-old driving a PT Cruiser failed to yield the right of way while turning into a parking lot, Killeen police spokesperson Carroll Smith said.
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OEF OIF soldier killed in motorcycle crash

War vet who served in Iraq and Afghanistan killed in Coopersville crash
FOX 17
BY AGILLFILLAN
AUGUST 20, 2014

COOPERSVILLE, Mich. – A war vet who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars died after crashing his motorcycle in Ottawa County Wednesday.

The crash happened at about 1:30 p.m. at 64th Avenue and Randall Street.

Friends of the family have identified the crash victim as 26-year-old Mike VanHolstyn of Grand Rapids. He was active duty in the army and served 15 months in Iraq and a year in Afghanistan.

Investigators said the motorcyclist was heading west on Randall and the car was going south on 64th Avenue. The car, driven by a 52-year-old Muskegon County man was stopped at a stop sign. The car pulled out, not seeing the motorcycle, said investigators. Deputies said the 26-year-old Grand Rapids man on the motorcycle took evasive action before the crash and ‘put the bike down’ but was hit anyway.
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Iraq Veteran Killed in Motorcycle Accident

East TX man killed in motorcycle crash was an Iraq war veteran
KLTV News
By Bob Hallmark
Posted: Jun 09, 2014
LONGVIEW, TX

An East Texas college student, who was killed in a motorcycle accident on Friday, was also an Iraq war veteran and had just graduated college. 26-year-old Logan Houshmand, a LeTourneau University student, died from his injuries from Friday's wreck on Delwood Street in Longview.

The news of Houshmand's death hit those who knew him hard. "We were shocked when we got that phone call. He had integrity. He wanted things to be real, what it is to think about eternal life," says LeTourneau University associate professor of aviation technology Matt Poelman.

He was a marine who served a tour in Iraq and those who knew him saw he was a young man with a lot of character. "He lost some good friends in that environment and was always sensitive to that. We lost our son in Iraq in 2005. It just speaks to the character of this young man and I appreciate him. We're going to miss him," Poelman says.
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Iraq Veteran Killed in Motorcycle Crash Expecting 4th Child

Army Veteran Killed in Motorcycle Crash
27-year-old Robert Zachary Firlan killed in Tuesday evening collision
KTUU Alaska
Austin Baird, Political, Rural Reporter
Apr 30, 2014

ANCHORAGE
Robert Zachary Firlan survived traumatic brain injuries he suffered during a tour in Iraq, where he was a forward observer for the Army. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his service.

But on a sunny, warm evening, a block from the downtown Anchorage park strip, Firlan died from injuries he suffered when a motorcycle he was driving collided with a van.

A minute after 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Anchorage Police Department received reports of a collision at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and C Street.

The 27-year-old died in a hospital. The driver of the van is not charged with any crimes and is expected to survive. APD spokesperson Jennifer Castro said Wednesday an investigation into what went wrong is ongoing.

Firlan leaves behind a wife, three boys, and another son is on the way.
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Marine Killed In Motorcycle Wreck

New River Marine Killed In Motorcycle Wreck
WITN
By: Carly Swain
Apr 28, 2014

Troopers said a New River Marine's family was nearby when he lost control of his motorcycle Saturday evening, hitting three parked cars.

Trooper M.T. Bryan said around 6 p.m. that night, 24-year-old Lance Corporal Loron Melton lost control of his motorcycle in the Coastal Plains Raceway parking lot.

According to Trooper Bryan, Melton "laid down" the bike and then hit three unattended, parked cars on the shoulder.
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Family told to leave Iraq veteran in ICU after motorcycle crash

Iraq veteran died after motorcycle crash
KFOX
By: Bill Melugin
December 5 2013

EL PASO, Texas -- The 34-year-old man who was injured over the weekend when his motorcycle struck a median along Lee Trevino Drive near Rojas has died. Daniel Vanegas, a former Fort Bliss soldier and three time Iraq War veteran, died Wednesday evening while in the hospital, said Venegas' family members.

El Paso police said Vanegas suffered a serious head injury when his 2006 green and black Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with a median. He was taken to Del Sol Medical Center. KFOX14 spoke with Vanegas' family the day before he passed way.

They alleged that a nurse at Del Sol made an already difficult experience even harder for the family.

Daniel's mother, Maria Vanegas, lives in San Antonio, and flew into El Paso as soon as she heard the news. "I got the call at 3 a.m Sunday morning about my son's accident," Vanegas said. "As soon as we got here, we went to see Daniel in the intensive care unit."

Other family members had flown in as well, some from California. Vanegas told KFOX14 many of them were waiting to see Daniel in the ICU waiting room when a nurse allegedly approached them with two security guards, and told them to leave so the room could be cleaned. "My daughter in law said 'Well I'm his wife,', they said 'Well you can stay, we can accommodate you, but everyone else can go home,' and I said 'Wait a minute, what about me? I'm his mother, I have a right to be with my son," Vanegas said.

"She said, 'Well this is not a hotel, you should've made arrangements to stay, and planned ahead."
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Vietnam Veteran and PTSD Advocate Killed in Motorcycle Accident

Grayson County veteran dies after motorcycle accident
KXII News
By: Kristen Shanahan
October 7, 2013

SHERMAN, TX -- A Grayson County veteran who was in a motorcycle accident Friday has died.

Family members say 69-year-old Bob Hillerby died around 12:15 A.M. Sunday morning. Sherman Police say around 5:30 Friday evening Hillerby hit a car that was turning into Shadow Mountain off 1417.

Hillerby was a combat photographer during the Vietnam War. Friend, Jerry Wrenn, says Hillerby made it his mission to help young veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The two began a PTSD peer-to-peer group together. Wrenn says it will be hard to go on without Hillerby.
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UPDATE
Friends and family remember Bob Hillerby
KXII
By: Kristen Shanahan
Oct 08, 2013

SHERMAN, TX -- Funeral arrangements have been set for a Grayson County veteran killed in a motorcycle accident Friday. The service for 69-year-old Bob Hillerby will be held at 2 p.m.this Thursday at Fusion Bible Church. Tuesday Kristen Shanahan spoke with close friends and family who share the legacy he has left behind.

Bob Hillerby's mission was to leave no veteran behind.

"Now my whole purpose in life is that I don't want a single veteran out there to waste 45 years of their life the way I did," Hillerby said.

That was Hillerby back in August. He suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but his family says he used his experiences to help veterans young and old to battle the illness.

"He was called by God to help these guys who were coming back with problems," Hillerby's wife, Alice, said.
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Fort Hood soldier from New Hampshire killed in motorcycle crash

NH soldier killed in motorcycle crash in Texas
Houston Chronicle
September 3, 2013

LONDONDERRY, N.H. (AP) — A funeral service will be held this week for a 22-year-old soldier from New Hampshire who died in a motorcycle crash in Killeen, Texas, while stationed at Fort Hood.

Police said Cpl. Tyler Pimpis died Wednesday, Aug. 28, in a collision with a pickup truck. Pimpis, who wasn't wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle.

He joined the U.S. Army in January 2010, and served a combat deployment in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012.
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OEF-OIF veteran died in fatal motorcycle crash in Alaska

Afghanistan, Iraq veteran dies in motorcycle crash in south Fairbanks
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
August 13, 2013

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Army says a 32-year-old soldier assigned to Fort Wainwright died in a weekend motorcycle crash.

Staff Sgt. Jason Dean Calman was a veteran of two combat tours of Afghanistan and one in Iraq.

The Army says he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown Saturday at Van Horn Road and University Avenue in south Fairbanks. He was pronounced dead at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
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Fastest man on two wheels from Florida died after 300 mph crash in Maine

Off Topic

Florida motorcyclist dies after crashing at nearly 300 mph
Orlando Sentinel
By Dave Sherwood
July 14, 2013

BOWDOINHAM, Maine , July 14 (Reuters) - A Florida motorcyclist known as the "fastest man on two wheels," died Sunday after crashing at just under 300 miles per hour while trying to break his own record for the fastest speed on a conventional motorcycle in a time trial in Limestone, Maine.

Trial officials at The Maine Event, an annual speed trial held by the Loring Timing Association, said emergency responders were already on their way before racer Bill Warner came to a stop, nearly 1,000 feet from where his bike, a modified, turbo-charged Suzuki Hayabusa, crashed suddenly.
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Veteran and Patriot Guard Rider killed in motorcycle accident

Driver turns in front of motorcycle, kills Livingston veteran
Jun 11, 2013
By Jeff Awtrey
POLK COUNTY, TX (KTRE)

A Livingston motorcyclist, who was a Vietnam veteran, died after a driver pulled in front of him on FM 3277 in Polk County.

Randy Lee Harrington, 55, of Livingston, died at 9:15 p.m. on the scene.

According to the DPS report, Harrington was driving his 2006 Harley Davidson southbound on FM 3277, one mile south of FM 2457, at 8:50 p.m. when a Michael Clay-Brit Jones, of Livingston, who was driving a 1998 Chevy pickup northbound on FM 3277, turned in front of him to go into a private drive. Harrington hit the pickup.

Harrington was wearing a helmet.

Harrington was wearing a Vietnam veteran jacket and a Patriot Guard Rider helmet. Patriot Guard Riders is a national organization whose members ride motorcycles to military funerals to show support.

Harrington's friends and family are mourning Harrington's loss. East Texas News talked to some of his friends and fellow American Legion Riders.

"I got up this morning and noticed his motorcycle was gone," said Harrington's next-door neighbor and friend, Jim Lewis. "I had a bad feeling."
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Fort Hood soldier dies after crashing motorcycle accident

Fort Hood soldier dies after crashing motorcycle into curb
ABC News 25
Posted: May 14, 2013
By John Elizondo

KILLEEN
A Fort Hood soldier is dead after he rode his motorcycle into a curb and crashed into a drainage ditch over the weekend. Police say 1st Lt. Michael Skylar-Jones Pegues died from his injuries in a wreck that occurred near the intersection of Edgefield and Robinett.

Police responded to the scene at 12:26 a.m. on Sunday after receiving a call from a witness. When officers arrived, they found the 24-year-old Pegues in a drainage ditch on the west side of Robinett.
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Fort Hood solider dies in motorcycle collision

Fort Hood solider dies in motorcycle collision
ABC News
Posted: May 06, 2013
By John Elizondo

HOLLAND
A Fort Hood solider is dead after two motorcycles collided on a Bell County highway. The accident happened at around 4:27 p.m. Saturday on FM 2268 in the west city limits of Holland.
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Fort Hood Soldier Killed In Motorcycle Accident

Fort Hood Soldier Killed In Motorcycle Accident
BELL COUNTY
(April 14, 2013)--A motorcyclist who was injured Sunday in a crash near Salado has died.
The Department of Public Safety said Monday Joseph E. McDonald, 23, died as a result of his injuries.

A DPS Trooper said the man was a Fort Hood soldier and was riding with several other motorcyclists when the accident happened.
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