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Update: Box in Roadway Contributed to Fatal Bridge Crash

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Update: Box in Roadway Contributed to Fatal Bridge Crash

2/11/2008

At 9:43 a.m. Feb. 7, Paul M. Coon, 30 of St. Leonard, was operating a 2001 Yamaha YZF600 motorcycle northbound on Route 4 across the Thomas Johnson Bridge in Solomons.

Coon was following a 2003 Ford Taurus driven by George W. Butt, 45 of Mechanicsville, who slowed to avoid hitting other traffic that was attempting to avoid a cardboard box in the roadway.

Coon’s motorcycle struck the left rear bumper of the Ford. Coon was ejected from the motorcycle into the southbound lanes and into the path of a 2006 Toyota Sienna LE van being driven by Courtney L. Stewart, 31 of Lusby.

Stewart’s vehicle struck Coon who was later pronounced dead on the scene shortly after 10 a.m. Coon had been wearing a full face helmet.

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itsbob	2/7/2008 at 11:03 AM
Details?
Model of bike? Concerned it may have been a friend. Condolences to family and friends.
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angela_deato	2/7/2008 at 1:24 PM
What the bike looked like at a glance....
It looked like an all black Yamaha-ish style of bike.
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Miss325	2/7/2008 at 4:30 PM
Tragic
There are so many tragic accidents in our area these days. My heart goes out to all of those involved.
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travt	2/7/2008 at 7:29 PM
Friend to many
He was a great young man that was going to go and serve our country in Iraq as a civilian contractor in two weeks. He was taken from us too soon. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.
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BBHead	2/8/2008 at 1:13 PM
Reply to travt: Name?
They have not yet released his name. As you seem to know him I would like to get his name and burial information if possible to send flowers. I was a witness to this fatal accident. As my heart sunk among others, we all felt helpless at his side. My thoughts are with him as well as his family and friends.

BBHead	2/8/2008 at 1:24 PM
Details
In the above story some of the facts are reversed. Due to an oversized cardboard box on the bridge heading into Calvert, the traffic was abruptly slowing to move around it. The Motorcyclist attempting to stop rear ended the car in front of him causing him to be ejected form the street bike. He then flew into the oncoming lane (heading towards St. Mary's) in front of a minivan who then hit him running him completely over. Happening so quickly the driver of the minivan truly had no other option. He was then conscience but unable to communicate verbally until help arrived. I have never witnessed such an event. This, in my opinion, was the fault of no one other than the debris on the bridge which is to me is a truly unfortunate. I cannot count the times I have crossed the bridge to encounter debris causing me to slam on the brakes. This is a matter I feel needs to be addressed and corrected in every sense of the word. Again, my thought and prayers stay with him and his family/friends in this time of unfortunate tragedy.
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angela_deato	2/8/2008 at 4:09 PM
Reply to BBHead: Me too
You are exactly right, the last thing I had to dodge on the bridge was one of those huge teddy bears they give out at carnivals/fairs. Apparently someone threw it out on purpose, as the stuffed animal was the size of a person!

banker	2/8/2008 at 6:06 PM
Reply to BBHead: My Condolences...
I want to express my sympathy to all who knew this young man. I did not know him but it breaks my heart to hear about something this tragic. In response to BBHead about the debris on the bridge....I too have had MANY encounters with debris on the bridge (buckets, clothes, boxes, etc...). You literally have to dart towards the side of the bridge or towards the middle onto oncoming traffic. I also can not count the times that I too have almost been in an accident on this bridge. There are a few things that people should do...(1) Pay ATTENTION and Do not follow too closely to those in front of you, (2) STOP looking over the side of the bridge and being nosey to whats in the water. (3) A completly NEW bridge needs to be built, it needs to be ALOT wider with AT LEAST two lanes going in both directions and with actual shoulders large enough for someone if they breakdown or they have to go around debris. Maybe if our county commisoners would take building a new bridge seriously then the accidents that do happen can be avoided. Again I extend my sympathy to those who knew this young man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

travt	2/9/2008 at 1:49 PM
Reply to BBHead: Willing to talk?
This man was at my house the morning of the accident and was a close friend. I was wondering if you would be willing to talk to me about what you saw. If so, I will give you my email to contact me. - Thorne6@comcast.net. Thank you.

jaynd	2/8/2008 at 10:34 PM
RIP
I heard about this while at work and it's so sad. i didn't know this man at all. I too ride a sport bike but never got the chance to ride w/ him. I LOVE meeting new people who ride....but at the same time, when I hear of a motorcycle accident I start going through all my "riding buddies" in my phone making sure everyone is ok. I know two people who knew this man personally. FOR ANYONE IN THE AREA WHO RIDES A MOTORCYCLE, THERE WILL BE A GROUP RIDE TO THE FUNERAL. I don't have all the details at the moment, but I will post back up when I do. If anyone would like to pay their respects and ride w/ us (please reply here, if enough reply i'll add my email address to give out info). Its sad to think … he probably left to go out and enjoy this beautiful weather we're having lately, having no idea it would be his last ride. RIP
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mulva	2/11/2008 at 10:15 AM
Reply to jaynd: In our thoughts
My sympathy to the family of this young man. Please keep the drivers of the other vehicles involved in your thoughts, also. I can't imagine the emotions that they, too, are experiencing.

smokey	2/11/2008 at 11:10 PM
Reply to jaynd: Details
Whoever wants to ride in the PAUL COON R.I.P. funeral a group of bikes are meeting on Thursday Feb 14 at am at the St. Leonard Faststop. We have to be in Lusby by 9:30 a.m. This was sent to me by a friend.

X-Fusion	2/11/2008 at 10:27 AM
That Sucks
If your gonna be driving over a bridge, especially higher then the road, tie down your crap in the back. Theres no reason stuff should go flying out of your vehicle. If a cop gets behinds you and sees that, say hello to a hefty fine. Just remember that before you drivers with your loose crap in the back of your vehicles let it go flying out at the apex of the bridge.
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Update: Box in Roadway Contributed to Fatal Bridge Crash

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