10 injured, two critically in multiple-motorcycle crash

WILSONVILLE,
Ore. –  An accident involving almost 30 motorcycles just south of
Wilsonville on Interstate 5 Friday afternoon injured several people,
two critically.
The crash happened at about 3 p.m. near milepost 282. LifeFlight
airlifted Herbert Sinclair of Heyburn, Idaho and David Bowyer of Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho to Oregon Health Sciences University and Legacy Emanuel
Hospital, respectively. Both were motorcyclists.
Representatives of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue said that it treated
eight patients for shoulder and hip injuries and broken bones. They
were also taken to area hospitals.
The accident closed northbound lanes of Interstate 5 for over two hours.
The motorcyclists were part of a local motorcycle club called Brothers
Speed which was established in May 1969.  It has chapters in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, specifically in Portland, Ore. Camas, Wash., and Boise, Idaho.
Oregon State Police said the motorcyclists were riding in standard
formation – two columns – when traffic ahead slowed suddenly. The two
lead motorcyclists were able to avoid a collision by maneuvering clear
of the stopped traffic, but the rest of the motorcyclists could not
stop in time, causing a chain-reaction of crashes with the rest of the
group.
A witness to the crash, Terry Scott, said he and his girlfriend were
driving northbound from Salem behind the motorcycles when he witnessed
an SUV, that was driving in front of the group of motorcycles, suddenly
slow down or slam on its brakes.
“It was a domino effect,” Scott said. “There were bikes and people and gear flying.”
When Capt. Mike Towner of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue arrived on
the scene with his crew from Wilsonville he said "it was ordered
mayhem. There were almost two dozen motorcycles scattered across the
freeway, and firefighters from Aurora and Canby providing medical care
to injured bikers, as non-injured bikers tried to assist."
TVF&R said there were at least two SUVs that were also involved in the crash.
A club insider, who didn’t want to be identified, said the bikers were
in town from all over the Northwest to celebrate an annual birthday
celebration of the club. She said that a motorcycle accident like the
one that happened Friday is unheard of.
“Normally it’s one motorcycle, maybe two,” she said. “To see the scale
of 20 to 30 bikes that are riding together have an accident of that
magnitude – I’ve never seen before.”
She said she grew up around these bikers and said despite perceptions, they’re cautious.
“I know some people say they must be up to no good: They were racing or
doing something. But anyone who’s familiar with Harley-riding knows you
don’t race a Harley, you don’t do tricks on your Harley. You just
ride,” she said.
Members of the club declined to be interviewed for this story. They said they are focusing on taking care of their brothers.
Oregon State Police are continuing to investigate the accident.

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