Jason Lee Webber was riding his motorcycle on U.S. 278 near the University of South Carolina’s Bluffton, SC campus enjoying the warm, spring weather when his life came to an abrupt end. A Volvo station made a left turn in front of Mr. Webber and wound up hitting him, according to islandpacket.com. He died at the scene. Mr. Webber was only 31 years old.
This accident occurred on Easter Weekend, which probably makes it that much more difficult for Mr. Webber’s friends and family. On a weekend where many families come together and enjoy each other’s company, Mr. Webber’s family had to endure the pain of learning he was killed in a terrible motorcycle accident.
Sadly, the loss of life from a motorcycle wreck is not uncommon in the United States. The fatality rate nearly doubled from 22.73 to 39.89 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled during the period of 1997 to 2004, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration report on motorcycle crashes.
Roughly 67 out of every 100,000 motor bike riders die in a bike crash every year. That may not sound like a lot, but contrast that with the fact that roughly 21 out of every 100,000 car drivers is killed in a car wreck and it illustrates just how dangerous riding a motorcycle can be. The risk of serious injury or death increases exponentially when a motor bike rider is hit by a car. The difference in size and exposure to the operator puts a motor bike rider in a very precarious situation when confronted with a car making an ill-advised left turn.
The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and is being assisted by a Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team. No charges have been filed against the driver of the Volvo.