Wednesday, May 26, 2010

New Details in Fatal Motorcycle Crash

http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0510/738468.html

New Details in Fatal Motorcycle Crash Mount Pleasant, SC - The driver of the SUV that killed two bikers says his vehicle would not stop, this according to police reports released Friday.

A witness to the accident told police she noticed the SUV did not slow down as it approached the intersection where the accident happened. On Friday, friends and family of the victims are searching for answers.

Pictures show how the family of James Doucette and Jimmy Hines will remember their loved ones, smiling and happy sitting on their bikes, staring at the open road.

“They were in heaven doing what they wanted to do. They wanted to ride their bikes,” said Steven Spudis.

And on their bikes is where their lives were cut short, at an intersection in Mount Pleasant. Steven Spudis was riding with them that day.

“I have seen accidents, I have seen motorcycle accidents and I knew it wasn't good,” said Spudis.

The driver of the SUV Charles McDonald fined for driving too fast for conditions. Spudis, a retired cop with 30 years on the job, is trying to make sense of it.

“Something some kind of criminal charge, even if it was a stupid little charge, something criminally but evidently not,” said Spudis.

Police say there was no wanton or willful disregard for public safety to merit a more serious charge. In witness statements, McDonald said he applied the brakes and the Explorer wouldn't stop. Investigators tell us there is no evidence the vehicle had an issue. Other statements describe McDonald as dazed and traumatized after the accident, saying out loud, "I couldn't stop."

ABC NEWS 4 spoke to McDonald’s attorney who is advising his clients not to speak due to a possible civil lawsuit. He did say McDonald paid his fine, a total of 143 dollars.