Posted by ( RRR ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Prayers to the family.
Wow.

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Posted by ( RRR ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Only one wrong there.

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Posted by ( geotech ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Another young life that has ended because of a poor decision. Why go so fast on a local street? Well, as I've said on similar stories, I hope that the deceased is in a better place now. But, what about you? If you died today, where would you spend eternity?

Romans 3:23, 6:23, & 3:10
John 3:16-18 & 14:6
Romans 10:9-10 & 10:13

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Posted by ( Shadow59 ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Same old song and dance......

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Posted by ( tarponbillsfan ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

It's just getting out of hand. Every week a kid on a bike killing himself from non-sense. I hope the new bike program required for license includes movie tape of bikes going down. Remember the old driver ed movies?

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Posted by ( egotrip ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Sad. He should not have been speeding-the truck always wins.

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Posted by ( evilmunkies4 ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

The less of these crotch rockets on the road...the better....and I agree with you Quagmire...I will always put my money on something other than the crotch rocket, just feel bad for those who cross the paths of these idiots!

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Posted by ( turbobodi ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

...gads - 23? ...tragic.

...hey geotech - I get my random lotto numbers from fortune cookies.

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Posted by ( rikasflash ) on July 15, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

another unfortunate incident caused due to speed. condolences to the family of the deceased. glad to hear the truck driver wasn't hurt in this collision.

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Posted by ( icebrkr ) on July 15, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

It's really unfortunate that younger sportbike riders feel the law doesn't pertain to them. I'm guilty of zipping around on my bike from time to time (and this doesn't make it right) but it's typically late at night or with very little traffic. What I see is people riding like this ALL the time. I've already been run off the road once by a driver who didn't see me. There's no way to predict what a driver is going to do which really opened my eyes when I ride down here in Florida (The advanced riders class). *sigh* Tampa/Clearwater and surrounding areas are just too congested to be riding like an idiot. Back home, you can get lost in corn-country and the worse thing you had to worry about was a ground hog. Keep the track at the track and off city streets.

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Posted by ( propane ) on July 15, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

again the main word is SPEED!

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Posted by ( Ladyelectraglide ) on July 15, 2008 at 10:26 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by ( snuffy ) on July 15, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Speed Kills, any more volunteers?

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Posted by ( lovetherays ) on July 15, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

SMB and welshiesdad

I agree, the only problem I see is the innocent people's cars-My solution is lets provided these guys a track with a brick wall at the end.

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Posted by ( texigator ) on July 15, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

80 in a 45.

Truck as well as the bike consumed by fire.

And the bikers wonder why we consider these morons on crotch rockets to be a danger to the rest of us.

I'm glad the driver of the truck is OK.

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Posted by ( Peace50 ) on July 15, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

1st God Bless the family of the rider.
Granted he was going to fast for road conditions, but for some of you all to post such heartless messages is real messed up. As a rider (HD) some of you cut off bikers, don't signal, tail gate, and roll thru stop signs and other crazy stuff. Please look out for Motorcycles

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Posted by ( icebrkr ) on July 15, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

@Peace50, turn signals? What's that? We're in Florida, you need no stink'n turn signals..(sarcasm). All they care about is getting to their destination without regard to others on the road. Drivers in Florida are nutjobs. Of course this goes for a lot of the sportbikers too *sigh*

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Posted by ( kpg8 ) on July 15, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Will all you crotch rocket riders give me your ss number so I can take out an insurance policy on you. I will give half of the payoff to your family. The odds on me collecting are better than me winning the lotto.

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Posted by ( SomeonesMother ) on July 15, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Some of you people are unbelievable!!! A young man has just lost his life and his family and friends are grieving! Yes, his behavior was wreckless, but he did NOT deserve to lose his life! This is a terrible tragedy and you people should pray for his family instead of hurling insults around. I personally know that he was a very nice young man and a fun person to know with a bright future ahead. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

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Posted by ( Aquaholic ) on July 15, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

If he had been going 100 he would have beat the dodge to the intersection, come on guys speed up. It's not going to happen to you!

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Posted by ( mlamarca ) on July 15, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

So yesterday, a story about the lack of helmets and death. Today a story about death on a motorcycle, but no indication whether the rider had a helmet or not. Just add another death to add to the tally to repeal the law without the full facts.

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Posted by ( SwampRunner ) on July 15, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

SomeonesMother.
Some people do get a little harsh on here from time to time, But what the heck, That is what this forum is for: "A free exchange of ideas and thoughts" Just because someone else is different than yours it does not make it any less valid.

What makes most of us harsh on the Brained dead POS's riding like madmen all over the place is there utter and complete lack of regard for the safety of people around them. This POS did not care whose life he risked by riding 80 MPH, My life, the life of my wife and kid's, Your's or maybe your children? Who will be the next victim? Huh?
I am just very glad the driver of the truck is ok, What if he had been hurt or possibly killed? If the only way we can get these POS's to slow down and quit endangering the rest of us is for them to go splat, So be it.
This kid had no respect for human life whatsoever, His, yours or mine. I am sorry to say his family has no one to look to on this tragedy but him.

Oh yeah, have a nice day.

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Posted by ( SomeonesMother ) on July 15, 2008 at 3 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

SwampRunner-
I am okay with people having differing opinions, don't get me wrong. The point I am trying to make is that most people on this forum are being so unbelievably insensitive on here about a young man who just died last night. His family members have yet to be notified and people don't even seem to care how they will feel when they read this. His family did nothing wrong but they will have to live with the loss of a loved one for the rest of their lives. Imagine if this were your son or daughter, would they "deserve to die" for speeding? I should hope not! That's all I'm saying. I just wish people would think about it and realize that his life was worth something too, even if he made a stupid mistake. NOBODY deserves to pay for something like this with their life!!! I too am glad the driver of the truck was uninjured, although I'm sure they will be forever scarred by the horrific scene this undoubtedly was.

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Posted by ( hammer ) on July 15, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

rocknroll

Blinkers?!?!? Are you insane? Here in Florida a blinker is license to either a) speed up and cut the offending lane changer with a blinker off or b) get over without looking. No freaking way I use a blinker and when I see one on in front of me I systematically slam on the brakes (because that's going to be required to avoid the ensuing collision anyway).

I drive aggressively because if I'm in front of the pack the idiots behind me can play bumper cars all they want and it won't make me call my insurance company. Sadly, most people here just don't see the responsibility you get with driving any kind of vehicle. Putting on make-up, using a phone, etc. They should have a reflex test and a visual comprehension test for licenses and if you fail you get a free bus pass.

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Posted by ( fd1brian ) on July 15, 2008 at 5 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Its been pretty rough for the Pinellas Park Cops Firefighters and Medics lately. They have seen quite a bit of death and destruction lately starting with Rapid Roys and continuing almost daily anymore

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Posted by ( mayleneasod ) on July 15, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

But aside from that, I am so very sorry for the family, friends, and loved ones involved. I grieve for your loss. It must be just the most horrible thing in the world, to lose your son or brother.

I wish all bikers would just go slow, be careful, be cautious, take safety classes, ride with proper equipment, don't speed, and be safe. And I wish all drivers would start watching for motorcyclists.

Were those two things to happen, maybe these horrible tragedies would be few and far between.

That is my prayer.

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Posted by ( mutroom ) on July 15, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

why it is completely the motorcyclist's fault. yes, he was speeding, going way too fast for the area, as i live about 1/8 of a mile from that intersection, and the guy on the bike was probably wearing shorts, sandals, etc, the "costume" of the people around this wear, no protection. but, that has been missed, is that the truck driver made a left turn in front of the motorcycle. most of the motorcycle accidents are caused by a idiot behind the wheel of a 2 ton car/truck who pulls out in front of, or turns in front of a motorcyle. so, maybe the blame should be put where it belongs, on the truck driver, even though the young man was driving too fast.

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Posted by ( jennfro519 ) on July 15, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

to all of those who say 'poor truck' 'hes an idiot' etc etc etc. Think if that was someone close to you...as I was friends with Mario & he was an AMAZING person, made a poor decision..yes. But respect the dead, how would you feel if this were someone you loved & you see these remarks... poor truck? POOR MARIO! IT WAS HIS LIFE! you all should be hit with that truck & have someone tell YOU poor truck....HAVE A HEART YOU HEART LESS @###oles

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Posted by ( fmbrb ) on July 15, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

As the mother of a child who had to deal with the recent death of his father who was struck and killed on his motorcycle while going to work, it sickens me to read some of the heartless comments being posted on this site. The families have so much grief to deal with when a tragedy like this happens. They have to deal with insurance companies that want copies of police reports, autopsy reports, etc. As if it's not hard enough to read those documents, it's even more disturbing to me that the families have to read some of the horrible comments being posted in response to this story. Where is your sympathy? He didn't deserve to die. He made an error in judgement that cost him his life. I know the woman who hit my son's father has to learn to deal with her emotions (it was her fault), as will the driver of the truck. I'm happy to hear that he wasn't injured. Sounds to me like they both made poor decisions. My prayers to both victims and their families and friends.

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Posted by ( welshiesdad ) on July 15, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

80 mph down 49th street is dumb beyond words...and as far as the truck, if someone is speeding that fast, it's almost impossible for the driver to gauge the biker's speed..

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Posted by ( gabs221 ) on July 15, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

NO ONE DESERVES TO DIE. I cannot believe you inconsiderate people on here... everyone does wrongs without considering the consequences, but NO ONE deserves to die. Mario was a close friend of mine and was very close with my family. He never could say a mean word, and was always the happy one in the group, always lending a helping hand or sharing his smile.... I only wish all you people who have nothing else in your life to belittle those who have gone could have spent even just a minute with Mario. I hope all of you take to heart that this was a loving caring friend who never deserved to die. Thank you for all the condolenses but all of you people who have nothing nice to say please don't say anything. Karma is a b****. I'll be praying for all of you unfortunate people. I find it all too often that people feel sympathy for those who die in gang fights or while commiting crimes, but not even one drop of pain can be felt for those close to a boy who made a mistake. Mario was sure to have been a great person and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. WE LOVE YOU MARIO.

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Posted by ( dekalbdi ) on July 15, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I find it hard to believe all the people here who say this young man "deserved to die". What he "deserved" was a TICKET, just like you got when you went over the speed limit. The AVERAGE speed of a motorcycle getting cut off like this one was is 29.9 mph. Like this meaning, a fatal accident. Speeding, or not speeding, a driver who does not see a motorcycle and is turning left cuts off the cycle without enough time for the cycle to stop. It only compounds the situation that there was so much speed. How is this truck driver not at fault??? He drove out into the path of the bike. Even if this young man were going less than 30, like the average, or 40, like my son was when he was killed three weeks ago yesterday, he would still probably have the same result. So at least be fair to this family. Many people speed, and don't pay the ultimate price. What this young man deserved - and I wish had gotten - is a ticket.

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Posted by ( gabs221 ) on July 15, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I'm not here to argue but to get the story straight... I believe that in another article I read the driver of the truck was quoted saying he saw mario in the distance before he pulled out. Now is it the truck driver's fault? Partially. And as the woman above mentions... speed probably wasnt a major contributing factor. Yes Mario was speeing but had he not been this still could have ended tragically. My brother who often rode with mario had to lay his bike down recently to dodge the same fate...and he wasn't doing 80. Fact is a man died... a tragedy in it's own right as a loss of human life. In the end it doesn't matter who's fault it was or anyone's opinion of whether Mario was an idiot or not. Save your mean thoughts for yourself. Why degrade someones name who you never personally knew? It's not your place to judge. Yes motorcycles are dangerous but so are many otherthings... all I ask is that IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. How would you feel if your best friend was killed while doing something he loved? How would you feel if those who didnt know him began to judge based on the partial facts portrayed in a short newpaper article? Yeah...Thanks. RIP man.

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Posted by ( Nightbiker ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Uhm, as a longtime motorcycle rider (over 30 years), I'm here to tell you that double the speed limit? Speed was a MAJOR factor. How could you POSSIBLY believe otherwise?
Had the kid been doing the speedlimit, the distance he was at would likely have been fine. Had he not been doing 80+ (after all, this is just an estimate based on skid lines, distance for marks, etc etc, and I'd be willing to bet he was going faster still, but who knows? ) he cut his ability to react to the situation considderably by doubling his speed.
Sorry, but "stupid" and "motorcycle" are just not conducive to a long and happy life.

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Posted by ( leopard1 ) on July 16, 2008 at 5:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

If the truck driver saw the biker "at a distance" I'm sure he didn't think/believe the bike was doing 80 instead of 40. At 80 he's closing in half the time.

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Posted by ( sasquatch ) on July 16, 2008 at 7 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Who's the accident expert who determined the 80mph?According to my LEO knowledge it takes 30 days for FHP to complete an accident investigation involving a death.I doubt if Mario was traveling at that rate of speed and it wouldn't surprise me if his blood alcohol was 0 or well under the limit.Bottom line is HIS RIGHT OF WAY WAS VIOLATED.Hopefully his family and friends will stay on top of this and do their own investigating and defend their son's good character and good name.

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Posted by ( mrwright ) on July 16, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Well that's it! gabs has spoken and everybody has to keep their comments to themselves if they don't have something "nice" to say!
GIVE ME A BREAK!
Somebody please inform gabs, and everybody else that doesn't like what they are reading, that this is a public forum and your free to move on.
Sure, post YOUR OPINION if you want, but keep quiet? NOT HAPPENING MY FRIEND! SORRY THE TRUTH HURTS!
Try thinking about how much pain and suffering this fine, caring person has caused so many people. Which includes his own family!
Sympathy...RIIIIGHT

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Posted by ( hammer ) on July 16, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

dekalbdi

"The AVERAGE speed of a motorcycle getting cut off like this one was is 29.9 mph" What?? What orifice did you dig this stat out of because there is no possible way to track this.

Sasquatch
It may take 30 days for the final report but distance determination is a measurement and a quick calculation that takes about 15 minutes total.

Its tragic this guy chose to needlessly risk his life that night but several including Nightbiker have it right on - twice the speed limit = half the time to close the distance. I'm sure the trucker saw a light in the distance and assumed he was travelling the same rate of speed as everyone else so he had plenty of time to turn and then WHAM Mario was on top of him.

Sadly the people who need to read this most probably aren't on here but:

Come on people. There are so many more interesting ways to die like drowning in Jello while wrestling the Budweiser girls naked.

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Posted by ( SMB ) on July 16, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Should have been carrying turtle shells with him to clear the road ahead, especially at that speed. Game over Mario.

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Posted by ( dekalbdi ) on July 16, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Motorcycle-accidents.com:

15. The median pre-crash speed was 29.8 mph, and the median crash speed was 21.5 mph, and the one-in-a-thousand crash speed is approximately 86 mph.

Also, there was this:

7. The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

I am not saying that this young man should not have been speeding, or it wasn't a factor. This death was tragic, and I have empathy for the family. Who among us can say that we haven't had a young person in our family guilty of speeding?

If I got may vote, no one would be riding a cycle. I know they're fun, and my dad rode them all his life. But I think with all of the new riders out there we are going to see a lot more of these tragic fatalities, weather they were doing everything safe, like my son, well withing the speed limit, wearing a helmet, or this young man, ignoring the speed limit altogether. The sad truth is that motorists are not looking out for motorcycles, but if they knew how much damage a cycle could do to a vehicle it might change their mind.

Denigrating this family at the time of their tragic loss will not bring about safety on the roads.

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Posted by ( jennfro519 ) on July 16, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

You know, those of you who sit behind your computers typing your stupid heartless comments about Mario makes me wish someone would just punch you in the face! Mario was an awesome person, loved by everyone who knew him. Training to be a firefighter/EMT so he could help people who were in danger. He loved life, loved to smile & was ALWAYS happy. those of you who say heartless things...has anyone close to you died? EVERYONE SPEEDS, WE'RE ALL GUILTY! I am, I myself have sped down that very same street. I'm not saying what he did was ok, but he paid with his life. That trucker decided he 'had enough time' to bolt through a red light and had a trailer on the back. I'm sure he is living with the guilt of being involved in the death of someone. Its always the bikers fault...its always posted that the biker was speeding....did this article state that Mr Richardson ran a red light? NO! just that Mario was speeding. Just 2 months ago Adam Herrick pinellas Co deputy died the same way, he was going 5 over on US 19 (JUST 5)the other driver failed to notice him & they both paid with their life.

For those of you that say he DESERVED to die! Child abusers, rapists, killers, robbers, people who cause harm & greif to others.....DESERVE TO DIE. Not someone who speeds, NOT someone who was training to SAVE LIVES.

say your mean things, your "funny" video game remarks (SMB) and whatever else, we know the real Mario, the friend, God is now the lucky one, for he has Adam & Mario with him making him laugh till it hurts while they shine down on us....nothing you say will break his image....you missed out on not knowing him.

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Posted by ( RiggsR1 ) on July 16, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

You guys are heartless, lifeless, and full of crap. You have no idea who Mario was or what type of person he was. Why dont you come out from behind your computer screens and stop being little "Internet Thugs" and stop with the bs of "speed kills" or "lets cull the heard" or whatever stupid comments you guys have keep them to yourself. Ive seen so many drivers not signal, tailgate, cut me off, run me off the road, let it be you next time and i will make sure you will have to replace a window or a mirror. The driver of the Dodge ram ran a redlight, do you know what that means? Sit back, take 5 and think. If Mario was in a car, THEN it would be the dodge rams fault but because he was on a sport bike its now his fault. And maybe he was speeding? I bet every single one of you that is talking your crap has sped before. Its a shame there are people like you guys left on this earth who are selfless and heartless while people like mario who are amazing and funny and genuine and whose a good person are taken away from his family and his friends and the life he was living. Its a shame!

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Posted by ( ny22chick ) on July 17, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

i completely agree with candy mario was an adventurous guy and would never cause harm intentionally, i really cant believe the ignorance in people find forgiveness and show respect

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Posted by ( robertshafer256 ) on July 17, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

This goes out to everyone that has said that Mario has "gotten what he deserved."

In this life we are all given the opportunity of choices. We are faced everyday with the chance to make a good choice or a poor choice on any given situation. Unfortunately more times then not we make poor choices...this is what makes us human.

Most times we get lucky in our poor choices and the consequences are usually insignificant. For example you get a speeding ticket for driving to fast on the interstate, or you get docked pay for showing up late for work. Unfortunately the consequence was disastrous in Mario's.

No one deserves to die for anything, no matter how poor the choice!

For those of you that have had negative things to say about this unbearable situation I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the person Mario actually was because it is obvious you have no idea who he truly was.

Mario was a great friend who always could put a smile on your face, even in the darkest times. He would at the drop of a hat be there if you needed help with something. He always put everyone else first and never asked for anything in return. He would make everyone feel accepted even if they were shy and meek he would make it comfortable enough for them to feel as if they had known everyone for ages. He would be the first one at your doorstep to solve any insignificant problem any of us might have had. And finally he was by far the true definition of a great friend. We all would be so lucky to get the chance to touch as many people as he did.

So I'm sorry to break it to all those pessimists out there but we didn't get another dangerous rider off the streets we lost a shining example of what more people should be. A true, genuine, loving person.

So for those of you that may have had cross things to say about him before I hope now you have that feeling in your stomach. The one that lurks way below fear and envy. It's the feeling of shame!

To all of you that knew the true Mario don't let these people get to you for we knew who he really was and we know that he is in a better place now. I love all you guys and be strong.

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Posted by ( Heidi0417 ) on July 24, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

RIP... another biker down... it's sad!

How do we know he was going 80+ ??? Who was the witness to this?

Either way... speed limits are posted for a reason, based on the road design and hazards it may impose. Sad this biker made the wrong decision to speed especially at that rate. Did he deserve to die? NO!

People in cars need to learn to measure distance and if unsure... don't jump in just because you assume they have breaks and can apply them on time.

Not everyone on a crotchrocket is a kid... I own a crotch rocket and I am 27 years old, mother of 2 and I am extremely responsible and careful. So stop assuming and no we should not ban the bikes, it's not the bike, but the driver.

Bad decisions, poor choices ended this guy's life and my prayers are with the family of this young gentleman.

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