The lesser known risk to OEF and OIF veterans is when they crash

This is one of the reasons why we will never know the true price of war and what the lack of care does.

Motor vehicle crashes: A little-known risk to returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan
Washington Post
By David Brown
Published: May 5

Andy Manis/For The Washington Post
Steven Acheson, an Iraq War veteran, at his apartment in Platteville, Wis., May 3, 2013.

For men and women who have fought in the country’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, death behind the wheel is becoming another lethal aftereffect of combat.

After they leave military service, veterans of the two wars have a 75 percent higher rate of fatal motor vehicle accidents than do civilians. Troops still in uniform have a higher risk of crashing their cars in the months immediately after returning from deployment than in the months immediately before. People who have had multiple tours in combat zones are at highest risk for traffic accidents.

The phenomenon has been revealed by various pieces of evidence — research as well as observations of service members, veterans and counselors.

The most common explanation is that troops bring back driving habits that were lifesaving in war zones but are dangerous on America’s roads. They include racing through intersections, straddling lanes, swerving on bridges and, for some, not wearing seat belts because they hinder a rapid escape.

That’s probably not the whole story, however. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suffered by thousands of veterans, increases aggressive driving. Drunken driving and thrill-seeking also are more common after combat, according to a few studies and the testimony of many veterans.
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Jury awards Orlando Iraq veteran $26 million

Florida jury awards $26 million to war veteran injured in car wreck
Reuters
ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - An Iraqi war veteran who suffered permanent brain damage in a 2008 motor vehicle accident in Florida has won a $26 million jury verdict, his lawyer said on Thursday.

"He's got a huge hole in his right frontal and temporal lobes," said Alexander Clem of the law firm Morgan and Morgan in Orlando.

Dustin Brink, 31, hit his head on the asphalt pavement in Kissimmee, Florida, after his motorcycle was clipped by a car driven by Juan Pereles, said Clem. Pereles and his father, Juan de Los Santos, who owned the car, were named in a lawsuit filed in 2010.
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Parris Island Marine killed in motorcycle crash

Parris Island Marine killed in motorcycle crash was expecting birth of third son
By TOM BARTON
December 28, 2012

A Parris Island Marine killed Thursday while riding his motorcycle on Joe Frazier Road was looking forward to the birth of his third son in April, his family said Friday. Cpl. Cameron P. Branum, 23, was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, serving as a company clerk, helping handle administrative matters and barracks maintenance, Gunnery Sgt. Bill Lisbon, base public affairs chief, said Friday.

Branum leaves behind a wife, Timi, who is pregnant, and sons Gavyn, 3, and Ayden, 1; according to his father, Gregory Branum.

The Marine grew up in a military family with service dating back to the Revolutionary War, his uncle Jeff Branum said. Both he, Branum's father and grandfather served in the military. A cousin serves in the Army, according to family.

"Cameron will never be forgotten," said Gregory Branum, who retired as a master sergeant in the Air Force in 2007 after 24 years.

"And as the military says, 'No man left behind,'" he said. "Cameron will be by our sides forever."
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1st Marine Division Marines save motorcyclist’s life

1st Marine Division Marines save motorcyclist’s life
Regimental Combat Team 6
Story by Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – On a late Thursday afternoon, Staff Sgt. Javier Acosta, a platoon sergeant with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and Sgt. Ronny Pool, a platoon sergeant with Headquarters and Service Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, were both on their routine commute to their respective homes on Sept. 27, 2012.

As they slowed to a stop at an intersection of Winchester Road in Temecula, Calif., both Marines noticed a change in the traffic pattern. They scanned their surroundings for the cause and quickly noticed that a motorcycle accident occurred near the intersection.

Without hesitation, Acosta, a native of Santa Clarita, Calif., and Pool, a native of De Soto, Kan., snapped into action toward the scene of chaos. Unbeknownst to them, their actions over the next 30 minutes would save a man’s life.
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Iraq Vet left for dead still doesn't know who did it

Iraq vet making remarkable recovery, say doctors
Apr 9, 2012
Written by Jay Olstad

MINNEAPOLIS - Inside the Veterans Affairs Health Care building, sits 29-year old John Byro.

With every ordinary task he completes, he travels down a road that is becoming more extraordinary by the minute.

On this day it was remembering his computer password with little effort.

Six weeks ago, it was walking.

"I can't believe I was that far behind or that I've gotten as far as I have," said Byro.

It was last year in late October when Byro, an Iraq War veteran, was riding his motorcycle near Gaylord. Investigators say a vehicle slammed into him at the intersection of Highways 5 and 19. He laid there dying while the vehicle sped off.

The driver has not been heard from since.

"It is frustrating," he said. "There has to be people out there who knows who he is, he needs to get caught."

But authorities do not even know if the driver is a man. Investigators have little to go on and are asking for the public's help. read more here

Camp Lejeune Marines hurt after motorcycle crash

Camp Lejeune marine hospitalized after motorcycle crash with fellow marine By: ANDREA BLANFORD Eyewitness News 9 Published: April 01, 2012 JONES COUNTY,N.C. (WNCT) - A Camp Lejeune marine is recovering in the hospital this afternoon after his motorcycle collided with another marine's bike. Highway Patrol troopers tell us it happened just before 2-o'clock Sunday afternoon on Pole Pocosin Road in Jones County. read more here

Bobby Norman wins gold at Wounded Warriors trials, swam with one arm

Bobby Norman wins gold at Wounded Warriors trials
By Matt Montgomery
mathew.montgomery@news-star.com
Posted Feb 27, 2012
SHAWNEE, Okla.

Robert "Bobby" Norman from Dale, took first place in the swimming competition, Feb. 21, at the Wounded Warriors 2012 Marine Corps Trials at Camp Pendleton , Calif.. His gold medal guarantees him a trip to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. at the end of April for the Wounded Warriors Games.

Shawnee resident and United States Marine Corps Sgt. Bobby Norman recently won the gold medal in the 50-meter free-style swimming event for the Wounded Warriors trials last week at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, Calif. He will be competing the first week of May in the Wounded Warriors competition in Colorado Springs, Colo., where all of the branches of the United States military will face-off and compete head-to-head.

Norman was born in California, but moved to Oklahoma and grew up in Dale, where he played baseball for the Pirates and won a couple of state championships along the way.

After graduating high school, he decided to fall into the footsteps of his father and grandfather and enlist in the United States military. He said he chose the Marine Corps because that was considered by many to be the toughest branch of the military, and according to him, he is the type of person who believes in doing something that is going to challenge him and make him work hard for something.

Norman was in a motorcycle accident Aug. 12, 2007 that left his left arm paralyzed. After several nerve graphs, where they look nerves from the back of each of his legs to try to replace the damaged ones in his arms, no progress was being made and his arm was still immobile. He eventually made the decision to have his left arm amputated below the elbow in August 2011.

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Fort Hood soldier killed while trying to run after street race

Fort Hood soldier killed while trying to run after street race

by Brandon Hartman

KILLEEN - A Fort Hood soldier is now dead after a motorcycle accident that took place after police tried to break up a street race.

An officer was in the area of Trimmier Rd. and Stan Schlueter Loop at 12:56 a.m. on Tuesday when he saw three motorcycles traveling westbound on Stan Schlueter; two of the motorcycles were racing at high speeds.

The officer was able to stop one of the racing motorcycles on Stan Schlueter but the other racing motorcycle continued to travel west at a high rate of speed. The third motorcycle turned off and left the area.
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One lucky Marine, hit by cement truck while on motorcycle, recovering

Motorcyclist struck by truck
January 26, 2012 4:30 PM
SUZANNE ULBRICH - DAILY NEWS STAFF
A Marine riding a motorcycle and hit by a truck on Bear Creek Road Wednesday did not sustain life-threatening injuries, according to Highway Patrol officials.

Trooper Michael Davis confirmed that 58-year-old Francis Mitchell, of Swansboro, was driving a cement truck on Bear Creek Road around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, turned into a driveway and struck a motorcycle driven by Donald Baldo, 26, of Hubert.
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Motorcycle stunt show crash

Today Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) in Orlando had a ride that left Downtown Disney. Over 800 motorcycles gathered and watched a stunt show performed by Orlando Harley Davidson Riders. During the show, one of them crashed. What was amazing came after. When the ambulance came, he was checked out, got up to a lot of cheers, then walked into the ambulance. After a while, he left the ambulance and walked away!

There will be more on this later with more video.

News 13 had the count at over 800

Biker group rides out for child abuse victims
13 News

Iraq war vet still critical following hit and run October

Iraq war vet still critical following hit and run
12:16 AM, Dec 4, 2011
Written by
Jay Olstad

MINNEAPOLIS - If home is where the heart is, then Amy Byro has been home for the last 37 days.

"The staff has been joking about changing my address to his room," said Byro.

She hasn't strayed too far from her brother's side at the Hennepin County Medical Center.

Her brother, 29-year old Iraq War veteran John Byro, is in critical condition after a driver crashed into him while he was riding his motorcycle.

It happened in small southern Minnesota town of Gaylord back in October. The driver took off and hasn't been heard from since.

"I don't understand how they cannot turn themselves in," she said.
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Original report
Iraq War Vet critically injured in hit and run

Iraq war vet critically injured in hit and run

Iraq war vet critically injured in hit and run
8:52 PM, Nov 6, 2011

Written by
Dave Berggren

MINNEAPOLIS - It's an emotional time for the family of John Byro.

"It's been a rough week," said Dave Byro, John's father. "It's serious, but the doctors don't know John. He's a fighter."

John, a 29-year old Iraq war veteran, was riding his motorcycle near Gaylord, MN when he collided with a vehicle at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 19. The incident left John lying in the middle of the road while the other vehicle sped off.

"No parent should have their son or daughter left in the highway," says Dave. "I mean people gotta care more than that."
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UPDATE to story
Iraq Vet still critical

Heroes rush to help motorcycle rider from burning car

Motorcyclist's uncle tells rescuers, 'You are heroes'

By the CNN Wire Staff
September 14, 2011 2:07 a.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
"We are just human beings trying to help, another human being," bystander said
Tyler Riggs said his nephew is in good spirits
Bystanders rescued Brandon Wright, who was trapped under a burning car
The group is credited with saving his life

(CNN) -- The uncle of a Utah motorcyclist pulled from underneath a burning car by a group of bystanders told his nephew's rescuers they are "heroes to our family."

Tyler Riggs spoke to CNN's Piers Morgan one day after a group of construction workers, students and other bystanders turned into a ragtag team of first responders to save Brandon Wright, 21.

The accident happened Monday on a street near Utah State University in Logan and was captured on video.

"I thank you on behalf of my family, and I know that my nephew Brandon will hope to thank you at some point, too. I know that you might be shy and want to dislodge the title, but you are heroes to our family," Riggs said, adding that his nephew is in good spirits.

"He was talking to us earlier and going through physical therapy and felt good after that. Things could have been much worse."

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Fort Hood Soldiers get training on safety and suicide prevention

FORT HOOD
Soldiers get training on safety and suicide prevention
Posted: Aug 29, 2011 6:56 PM

by: Aimee Burnett

FORT HOOD - Fort Hood will be wrapping up safety and suicide prevention training on post Tuesday.

Units have been called in for the training since Wednesday of last week. That's because officials say the U.S. Army, as a whole, has been seeing a larger number of suicide cases this year, and Fort Hood has seen an increase in car and motorcycle accidents.
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Marine Injured in Oceanside Motorcycle Crash

Marine Injured in Oceanside Motorcycle Crash
He attempted to split lanes in stopped traffic at a high rate of speed, the Highway Patrol reports.
By Tom Roebuck
August 3, 2011

A 22-year-old Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton was hospitalized with a compound fracture to his right leg Wednesday morning after the motorcycle he was driving hit a stopped car in Oceanside, according to the Highway Patrol.
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Marine Injured in Oceanside Motorcycle Crash

Former Marine helps save crash victim’s life

Former Marine helps save crash victim’s life

Archie Ingersoll | The Journal Gazette

Authorities are crediting a man with saving the life of a motorcyclist whose leg was completely severed below the knee in a crash in southern Kosciusko County.

“She could have easily bled out if it wasn’t for his quick and responsive actions,” said Sgt. Chad Hill of the sheriff’s department.

Stephen Wilson, 21, of Mexico, Ind., was heading home from work about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday when he saw a bunch of cars stopped in the intersection of Indiana 14 and County Farm Road.

Two women from Silver Lake – Terri A. Penrod, 54, and Sue A. Raber, 53 – had been riding a motorcycle when a 1993 Chevrolet Camaro plowed into them as they were making a left turn from Indiana 14, the sheriff’s department said.

Wilson said he arrived about two minutes after collision. He said Raber had a deep gash on her calf, while Penrod’s leg had been cut off below the knee. The former Marine fell back on his First Aid training and put his focus on Penrod.

“She had lost about a quart of blood in about two minutes,” he said. “I knew she was the main priority at the time.”

He had a couple of guys nearby give him their belts. He also asked for something like a rod or a stick. A man grabbed a cornstalk from a nearby field. With those items, Wilson went to work.
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Former Marine helps save crash victim life

Mother's devotion to son helps him wake from coma

Mother's devotion to son helps him wake from coma

May 08, 2011 3:33 PM
ANIESA HOLMES
Ramona Walters has dedicated many years to improving the lives of helping injured patients through her career in physical therapy.

“I just let them do what they can do, because I’m just letting them inspire themselves — I love what I do,” she said.

She had become passionate about improving the quality of lives of others several years ago after studying physical fitness and eventually working as a physical therapy assistant at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune for 11 years. However, a tragic accident in her own family last year would test her own faith in the power of healing.

Her 26-year-old son Enrique Vargas had been an avid motorcycle fan since he was 16 and graduated from Motorcycle Mechanics University in 2009. The proud father of a 2-year-old son had just joined the United States Air Force Reserves and was awaiting orders to leave for boot camp on May 15.

“We all ride motorcycles and we’ve always taught him about safety,” Joe said. “There’s time when he and I rode together just to make sure that he was safe.”

Enrique was riding his motorcycle on the afternoon of Sept. 18, 2010 with a group of fellow bikers. While traveling on N.C. 24 towards Jacksonville he collided with car after the driver pulled out in front of him, throwing him from his bike onto the highway. Dr. Darryl Williams, an emergency room doctor at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune was on his way to Swansboro with his wife when he noticed the accident. He stayed with Enrique until an ambulance arrived to take him to Onslow Memorial Hospital. Ramona and her husband Joe were traveling to Wilmington when they received the news of Enrique’s accident.
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Mother's devotion to son helps him wake from coma

Traffic cam captures Iraq Vet on motorcycle being hit

Video: Iraq war veteran on motorcycle gets rear-ended; survives crash
Posted: 8:23 AM
Last Updated: 1 hour and 41 minutes ago

By: Eric Ristow
DALLAS - A soldier returning from Iraq is in good spirits despite being rear-ended by a car in Texas while he was riding his motorcycle. The man lived, and the incident was all caught on video.

A driver slammed into Army Cpl. Zacharie Perez from behind on the Dallas North Tollway as he was on his way home from work.



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Iraq war veteran on motorcycle gets rear-ended

Father of Marine killed on motorcycle was hit by drunk driver on his motorcycle too

Friends, family share stories of hometown hero
Marine from Rosenberg allegedly killed by drunken driver
By SHAMINDER DULAI
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Aug. 12, 2010

Rain clouds blanketed the sun to trickle out a smattering of rain drops Thursday afternoon as Dwayne Stidman carried the ashes of his son out of a Rosenberg funeral home and toward a row of motorcycles.

"Today is a time of saying goodbye," Stidman said.

With military hymns in the air and a slideshow of his son behind him, Stidman stood up to thank the nearly 100 friends, family, Marines and complete strangers as they paid their respects to Marine Cpl. David James Stidman, who was killed last week when an alleged drunken driver struck his motorcycle.

Guests wearing red, the 23-year-old's favorite color, made an effort to turn the funeral into a joyful day of sharing memories to honor the son who survived two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan, and recently finished a five-year commitment to the Marines.

Affinity for motorcycles
But there was sorrow.

One by one, Marines and friends stood up to share stories about one of Rosenberg's hometown heroes. He had built a gym out of found wood because he was bored, had coached his fellow soldiers to get up to speed and had shared stories from home of how much he loved his father.

Like his father, David Stidman became a Marine and a motorcyclist. The two also shared an affinity for fishing, so much so that they'd bought a boat. They were still planning their first trip to the open sea when the son was killed. Dwayne Stidman plans to take his son's ashes to the Gulf of Mexico.

The young Marine came home four months ago after a drunken driver hit his father, who was on his motorcycle. He broke his legs, a shoulder blade and his skull was severely cut.

Dwayne Stidman slowly recovered with the help of his son and soon bought another motorcycle so the two could continue riding together.

"I know how it can get and I didn't want him riding alone," Dwayne Stidman said

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Friends family share stories of hometown hero


Marine survived three tours of combat

Firefighter in critical condition after wrong-way motorcycle crash

Firefighter in critical condition after Carrollwood wrong-way motorcycle crash
By Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Thursday, October 22, 2009


CARROLLWOOD — A 47-year-old Hillsborough County firefighter was hospitalized early Wednesday after she crashed her motorcycle into a pickup truck on S Village Drive.

Patti Valero of Brandon was driving a Harley-Davidson the wrong way in the eastbound lanes of S Village about 1 a.m., according to a Hillsborough County sheriff's report. Valero collided with an eastbound red Chevy pickup driven by Peter Spiropoulos, 21, of Tarpon Springs.
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Firefighter in critical condition