Sumas, Washington – One Dead in Motorcycle Crash

Sumas, Washington (July 24, 2019) – One person was killed in a motorcycle crash that occurred at the 5600 block of South Pass Road on Wednesday afternoon. The victim, identified as Chase M. Westergreen from Bellingham, was pronounced dead on the scene. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

According to Washington State Patrol troopers, the victim was heading east on South Pass Road when he veered off the roadway and crashed into a dirt bank. Response crews arrived on the scene around 2:15 p.m. The cause of the crash has not been determined. There were no reports of road closures being caused by the accident.

About Motorcycle Accidents

We offer our sympathies and compassion for the friends and loved ones of the victim. Because of a motorcycle’s open nature, the risks of injuries are greater to a person on a motorcycle than a person in a car. Head injuries are common in motorcycle accidents of all kinds, as are limb injuries. Much like any other vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents can easily come out of lapse of attention and careless maneuvers.  It is important to always observe proper driving and consideration for other vehicles, something which all motorcycle drivers should keep in mind as 3/4 of motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle. This is most likely due to a motorcycle’s overall visibility being less than most other vehicles, which means drivers of other vehicles tend not to see motorcycles in time.  This visibility problem makes motorcycle rides at night especially risky. Additionally, the stationary objects most often struck off-road are trees, utility poles, and traffic barriers, and driving in poor visibility conditions such as nighttime and unfavorable weather can increase the risks of collision with one of the objects mentioned above.

While motorcycles are a much-depended means of transportation, drivers should consider factors such as speed, number of other vehicles on the road, the road conditions and weather to ensure their safety while out and about. Be especially cautious when driving at night, as with any other vehicle. Any mistakes in judgement can lead to accidents, injuries and damage not only to your person, but on other people as well.

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