Man, dog escape motorcycle wreck with minor injuries Friday, September 8, 2006
By SACHA CHAMPION Statesman Staff Writer http://www.dailystatesman.com/photos.../1060924-L.jpg
Sacha Champion photo Curtis Vaughn, 37, of Poplar Bluff (on stretcher) is loaded into an ambulance by Stoddard County Ambulance District (SCAD) employees Lee Layton and Sam Pearson while SCAD Director Dave Cooper (front left) carries Vaughn's Yorkshire terrier, Trip, from the scene of a motorcycle accident Thursday morning. Also pictured is Missouri State Highway Patrolman J.A. Lacey.
A Poplar Bluff man and his dog definitely took more of a "trip" than they bargained for Thursday morning while traveling through Dexter.
Curtis R. Vaughn, 37, and his faithful Yorkshire terrier, aptly named Trip, were riding Vaughn's 2004 Honda motorcycle on the Highway 25 exit to Highway 60 East at approximately 9:20 a.m. when an animal darted out in front of the vehicle.
In an attempt to miss the animal, Vaughn swerved and lost control of his motorcycle, sending both occupants into a skid. Luckily, both only received moderate injuries in the crash. Vaughn was taken by Stoddard County Ambulance to Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter where he was treated and released a few hours later.
But ever a conscientious pet owner, Vaughn wanted to make sure that Trip was not only well, but taken care of while he made his trip to the hospital. That is why Stoddard County Ambulance District Director Dave Cooper earned the title of dog-sitter for a few hours Thursday.
"He had the dog in a little cage on the motorcycle that actually had roll-bars installed in it," said Cooper. "It was a pretty neat little cage."
Cooper said that Trip did receive some road burn from the ordeal, however, the dog's injuries were not life-threatening and both owner and pet were doing fine.
"It's not everyday that you get the title of dog-sitter when you're in this line of work," Cooper said with a laugh. "When he told us the name of the dog, we had to laugh and say Trip really took a trip this morning."
While both Vaughn and Trip escaped serious injury, motorcycle accidents in Missouri can very easily cause life-threatening or fatal injuries to their riders. In recent months, several motorcycle riders, including some in Southeast Missouri, have had serious injuries or have died from injuries sustained in crashes.
A St. Louis man was killed Saturday, Sept. 2, when he lost control of his motorcycle while negotiating a curve. Paul J. Bonugli, 49, was thrown from his motorcycle and crashed into a tree 20 feet away.
In July, a Jonesboro, Ill., man sustained serious injuries in a three-vehicle wreck involving two motorcycles on Highway T in Stoddard County. James L. Knupp struck a 1996 Ford and overturned and was then struck by a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Three other people involved in the wreck sustained minor or moderate injuries.
As more and more people turn to motorcycles as not only recreation but as a way to cut down on rising gasoline bills, it becomes even more important for people -- not only those on motorcycles -- to be aware of the situation and practice safety at all times.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, riders can help reduce or prevent injuries to themselves and their riders by doing the following:
* If you ride a motorcycle, always wear a helmet. Helmets are your best defense against serious and fatal brain injuries.
* In addition to your helmet, wear eye and face protection. Many helmets have built-in visors or other face guards. Wear long pants, gloves, boots, and a durable long-sleeved jacket.
* Get licensed. All states require a motorcycle license.
* Never drink alcohol before operating a motorcycle.
* Follow all the rules of the road. Don't speed -- 40 percent of motorcyclists who died in crashes were speeding.
* Watch for hazards on the road, such as large cracks, holes, and bumps. Keep an eye out for vehicles coming from driveways and side streets.
* Make sure your headlight is on every time you ride. (This is a law in most states.)
* Don't let anyone ride with you until you are skilled at riding in all kinds of conditions.
* If you're a new rider, take a motorcycle riders' course. To locate a course near you, call 1-800-446-9227.
* When passengers ride with you, they must wear a helmet and protective gear.
* Insist that passengers sit behind you on the motorcycle.
* Make sure passengers' feet can reach the footrests. Insist that they keep their feet on the footrests at all times, even when you stop.
* Don't let passengers get on the motorcycle until after you start it.
* Tell your passengers to lean with you when you turn.
* Insist that passengers hold on to your waist all the time.
* Instruct passengers to keep their legs away from the muffler to avoid burns.
* Ask that passengers limit their movement and talking. Sacha Champion may be reached via e-mail at
schampion@dailystatesman.com