Police release name of motorcycle rider killed in crash
- Previous article:Pittsfield Township man dies in motorcycle-van crash
Police have released the name of a Pittsfield Township man who died in a crash Sunday afternoon in Livingston County.
Thomas Anthony Gonzales, 64, died Sunday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with a van on M-36 in Unadilla Township, police said.
The crash occurred about 12:15 p.m. Sunday when an 84-year-old Unadilla Township man turned his 2003 Ford Windstar into the southbound motorcycle’s path, Unadilla Township police said. The van driver was traveling north on M-36 and was attempting to turn left onto Dexter Trail, police said.
Gonzales was riding a 1967 Triumph motorcycle and was believed to have been wearing a helmet, police said.
The van driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured, Unadilla Township Police Chief William Cook said. Police have not released his name.
Police are still investigating the crash, and are awaiting autopsy results. A report will eventually be forwarded to the prosecutor's office for review, which is standard procedure in any fatal crash investigation, Cook said.
Comments
zax
Thu, May 17, 2012 : 12:27 a.m.
2Way highways are a death trap and ought to be redone as slower roads or one way highways. I have known many friends and families to loose lives traveling on them day or night. Crossing the lane and then head on collision. Has any state ever done a study of 2 way highway deaths vs the single direction highways?
OLDTIMER3
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.
@justcurious, the high beam even in daylight hours is blinding other peoples vision at times. You must never ride in front of someone driving with their hi beams on in daylight hours, it is very distracting. The newer machines I have seen have the lights flashing which is also very distracting. I also ride but without my hi beams on.
Cindy
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 12:08 p.m.
I used to live in Stockbridge. I remember that turning left onto Dexter-Pinckney Rd. was not easy. You couldn't see the the southbound m-36 vehicles until they were very close because of the hill. Always scared me to turn there.
Cindy
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 3:02 a.m.
Oops...yeah....I should have said dexter trail.
justcurious
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
We always hate the turn left onto Dexter Trail because you really have to watch for east bound cars . You have to make sure to yield because you are crossing over their path to go west.
dougfair
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
Dexter-Pinckney Rd. is in an entirely different township. The road in this instance is Dexter Trail. But you are right, the rise makes visibility tricky sometimes.
Dan
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
I had just finished talking with Tom regarding his beautiful 1967 Triumph Bonneville. In fact his bike was the only photo I took on Sunday. Although this was our first meeting I could tell he was the real deal. Very genuine human being. Around noon I said goodbye jumped on my 77 Bonneville and 3 of us left for Chelsea. Tom took to the road about a minute behind us thru Unadilla. It's very scary to think the outcome could have been the same for one of us. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of Tom's family and friends. Dan O
dougfair
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.
Wait, wait! If Mr. Gonzales had just left Stockbridge, he should have been eastbound on Dexter Trail, not southbound on M-36 as the eyewitnesses described. Perhaps he went north on Brogan or Dutton first to make a longer country ride? And please contact the Unadilla Twp. police, 734-498-2325. You may be able to give useful information to their investigation.
jeeper44
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 10:56 p.m.
Once again, it takes a fatal accident to make someone stop driving,who probably should not have been driving in the first place. I'm sure he said he "Didn't see the motorcycle",like all the rest of them.
mkm17
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
We were finally able to convince my Mom, then 77, to stop driving three years after a stroke left her physically and mentally impaired. When Mom stopped driving, all four corners of her vehicle were scratched and dented. Earlier this year, family asked the State of Michigan to evaluate the driving competence of my former mother-in-law, now 88, who had continued to drive despite visual deficits after a stroke and several scratches and dings on her vehicle. I can't tell you how many times we adults kids said to each other something like: "We have to get (name of mom/mom-in-law) to stop driving! We'd feel just terrible if they killed someone! I'm so sorry this accident happened, and my heart goes out to Mr. Gonzales's family.
Charles
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
Have riden with Tom a few times and he was very safety conscious and always rode with his helmet. He was just coming from a bike show in Stockbridge when this occurred. Tom never hot dogged his bike as that bike was one of his passions. He was the Newsletter Editor for the Metro Triumph Rider's Club and will be sorely missed by all of us. Our condolences and prayers go out for him and his family.
dougfair
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 1:36 p.m.
My condolences to you on the loss of your friend. I am so sorry.
justcurious
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 12:59 a.m.
I'm familiar with your club and have attended gatherings. We've always enjoyed seeing the classic bikes that gather. I know this is a real blow to all of you. Please accept my condolences.
Ulysses Wong
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
From my many years of riding in New York City, even now at the light or approaching an intersection I assume idiots are out to kill me and it's saved me quite a few accidents. OF course these days I'm in my safe and hulking SUV but an ounce of prevention...especially since my kids are usually with me also.
justcurious
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
My thoughts and prayers are with this man's family and those who knew him. Both this motorcyclist and the van driver may have been doing everything right, we don't know. As motorcyclists we must do everything in our power to make ourselves visible. That may mean driving with your high beam on during daylight hours, making sure you do not remove reflectors from your bike, Wear light colored clothing and helmet, and ride like you are are invisible, not invincible. I also slow down at intersections and expect people to pull out in front of me..I never assume that I have the right of way.
cinnabar7071
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
Very sad, my prayers go out to the Gonzales family. I didn't know Thomas but as a follow biker if sends shivers down my spine. I pray my family never gets that call because of a distracted driver. Accidents happen and lives are lost, but a driver who isn't fully focused on the road is another matter.
Lola
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 8:04 p.m.
How would that help in this case? The victim was wearing a helmet and still died. I will now try once again to send my condolences to the family of Mr. Gonzales without making any comment about the driver of the van which is the obvious reason why my previous comment was deleted. My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Gonzales.
Harry
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
I like Synder and what he has done for Michigan so far. But I disagree with the helmet law. People say they should be able to make up there own mind when wearing a helmet. I say these people are not smart enough to make that desicion or they would be wearing a helmet. NOBODY can argue that you are better off with a helmet on. Its no different if someone had a gun to there head saying they are going to shoot themselves. The police step in to protect those people when they don't have the sense to protect themselves.
Harry
Tue, May 8, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.
I never said it did. It was just a general comment.
justcurious
Mon, May 7, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
I agree with you re:helmet laws, but this accident appears to have nothing to do with that subject. It says the motorcycle rider was apparently wearing a helmet. As a motorcycle rider however, I always ride with my high beam on during daylight hours. I feel I am much more visible. I have seen some motorcyclist without their headlights on. Usually they are older bikes where you have to physically turn the headlight on..This was an older bike.