Date: November 27, 2009
Location: I-5, Roseburg, Oregon
Names: Donald Nathan “Nush” Abbott, Charity Elise Torres
As Donald Nathan Abbott, 37, of Atlanta, Georgia, embarked on a cross-country journey on an Ashland-made Brammo Enertia motorcycle, he wrote in his blog: “One idiot, 3,800 miles, & an electric motorcycle with a 42-mile range. What could possibly go wrong?”
Tragically, Abbott’s question was answered on November 27, 2009, when his motorcycle was rear-ended on I-5, near Clarks Branch Road, in Roseburg, Oregon, by Charity Elise Torres, 20, or Myrtle Creek. Abbott was thrown off the bike, and rescuers found him unconscious at the scene.
According to The News-Review, Abbott’s bike was struck from behind by a 1998 Audi driven by Torres, 20, around 7:40 PM. According to the Ashland Daily Tidings, Torres said she didn’t see Abbott in the slow lane.
Abbott was initially taken to Mercy Medical Center, then airlifted to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland. According to Autoblog Green, Abbott regained consciousness December 1, and his injuries, fortunately do not appear to be life-threatening.
A medical fund has been established to help pay for Abbott’s care.
In an article in Wired, Nathan Abbott, or “Nush” to his friends, is described as a “gearhead” and science enthusiast who carries both an iPhone and a Motorola Droid. In addition, he was concerned about America’s dependence on foreign oil. Abbott, in short, is the kind of guy who was instantly attracted to an electric bike, and the possibility of a great adventure.
Abbott’s trip was a first. According to Wired, no one had yet tried to drive cross-country on the Brammo Enertia, an all-electric motorcycle that came out earlier this year with a maximum speed just over 60 MPH, requiring frequent recharging stops. Abbott intended to ride from Oregon to Atlanta over the course of 25 days.
Many of Abbott’s friends learned that his trip had ended abruptly when they saw a friend’s message on Abbott’s Facebook page: “Everyone PRAY for Nathan… he has had an accident and is in the Hospital in Portland OR. in the hospital right now… PRAY FOR HIM!!!!”
We will.
We hope he will be back on the road soon, and we wish him many miles of future adventures in safety. Wired reports that Abbott’s high-end helmet was the only thing that kept this tragic motorcycle crash from turning into a fatal one, and we urge all motorcyclists to always wear their helmets.
Because the Enertia is so new, there is little if any real-life statistics to how safe it is. Some have said the low noise the motorcycle makes may have contributed to the accident. Nonetheless, Torres should have been more aware of her surroundings. Abbott could not have been traveling over the speed limit, and he was obeying the law and taking safety precautions by wearing a helmet – a good one too. We are thankful Abbott was aware of the risks everyone takes when we go out on the road.
No matter whether a motorcycle is powered by electricity or gasoline, the rider is at risk. Any time a motorcycle accident occurs, we are reminded of the high injury and death rates for motorcycle riders. Several factors contribute to the potential dangers, but probably none more so than drivers’ seeming inability to see motorcycles. Certainly rider skill can come into play, and we absolutely welcome the new Oregon law requiring motorcycle skills training. However, no matter how safely a person rides, a car driver who isn’t looking will remain a danger to a motorcyclist.
Shulman DuBois LLC represents victims with injuries resulting from accidents. Our clients deserve representation with our experience, sensitivity and tenacity. Should an unfortunate episode find you or someone you know in need of representation as a result of an accident related injury, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get educated by reading our Frequently Asked Questions, exploring our Library, or ordering your free copy of 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
As of the date we posted this blog, Shulman DuBois LLC does not represent any of the parties. If you are mentioned in this article and believe you may need legal help, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Oregon law firms specializing in personal injury, including us, will provide free and confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to call and ask questions.
