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Scooter rider killed in collision on Fairmount Avenue
08/25/2013 2:45 PM by John M
This morning at approximately 9:44 a.m., the Richmond Police Department was called to the scene of a collision involving a scooter and a sedan.
In the intersection of Fairmount Avenue and North 23rd Street, a car and scooter collided. The lone rider of the scooter, a 35-year-old male, suffered injuries and was transported to VCU Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
The car was operated by a female, the sole occupant.
The Richmond Police Department Crash Team interviewed witnesses and took measurements of the crash scene in the course of the investigation. Fairmount Avenue was closed in both directions to accommodate the investigation.
Information on the identification of the victim and any potential charges is not yet available.
What a shame. Are there any details? Was the driver of the car at fault or was it the scooter rider? condolences to the family.
My friend was on Chaymberlane last week where he witnessed a scooter rider following too closely to a car. The car slowed, the scooter rider tried to brake, but either his rear brake was bad, or he didn’t squeeze it so he went over the front end and slammed into the street. No helmet, wearing shorts and a t-shirt listening to his ipod. It was clear that his foot was broken and he had bad road rash, but my friend wasn’t sure about the extent of his internal and head injuries. My buddy actually blocked the lanes of traffic with his pickup until paramedics and the cops showed up.
Because it’s not regulated, scooter riding has a lot of inexperienced riders out there who don’t know much about the safety aspects of riding a two wheeled vehicle. And there are a lot of cars that are bothered by or don’t care about the dudes on the scooter so they don’t share the road very well.
Saw the scene earlier. Horribly real and saddening. A law just passed that will have all scooters/ mopeds registered and plated by July 2014. Hopefully this will make scoots a little more credible to other drivers, while encouraging scooters to drive more responsibly.
I didn’t know about that law. It’s a step in the right direction. I also advise anyone getting into scooters and motorcycles to take a class. You can learn a lot about riding techniques and safety.
And what not to do…Like wheelies. On the highway. At 95 mph. In shorts and a tank top. I saw this on 95N two weeks ago near the Boulevard exit. Crazy death wish. And a danger to anyone driving nearby.
This is incredibly sad to hear. My thoughts go out to the family.
The new law requires registration ONLY for mopeds that go above 25 mph and the driver does not have to have a license. Scooters that go less than 25 mph do not need to be registered at all.
I highly doubt this law will be enforced and the fact that you don’t have to have a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle completely boggles my mind. Requiring a driver’s license is a much better step in the right direction than is simply requiring vehicle registration.
New law-
http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#moped.asp
Sad situation.
@ClaySt Resident- if you are unsure about something please don’t post. Your statement is incorrect. All Moped’s operated on Virginia roadways will be required to be titled and registered by July 1 2014. It clearly states that on the DMV website. It is true that no license will be required for operators of mopeds.
“Scooter” is not a legal term in Virginia. We have motorcycles and mopeds. Anything over 50cc is a motorcycle. Sadly, there is an influx of cheap, unreliable, poorly made Chinese scooters which are essentially deathtraps. Many of them are way over 50cc and not considered mopeds yet people treat them as such with no plates and no license, which IS required for many of these things. :/
@spacecats- that dude probably went over the handlebars because he had a unreliable machine. I yelled at a dude last weekend for not wearing a helmet….makes us all look bad, not to mention you’re an idiot trying to get killed at that point. And yea, if you don’t know how to ride you should take a class. I grew up on dirtbikes and know what I am doing but there are so many n00bz it’s really making everyone skilled look like an idiot.
Sad for this family and the guy was probably doing nothing wrong. I almost got killed by a driver in Church Hill myself one night. Ride like no one see’s you because they don’t.
Willis Jacobs
Road Captain
Seven Hills Scooter Club
The Richmond Police Department has identified the victim from yesterday’s Fairmount Avenue fatal collision.
Robert L. Vannote, 35, of the 3100 block of North Avenue, was struck by a Mitsubishi Gallant sedan in the intersection of Fairmount Avenue and North 23rd Street at approximately 9:44 a.m.
Vannote was transported to VCU Medical Center where he died.
A female, the sole occupant, operated the car.
The Richmond Police Department Crash Team interviewed witnesses and took measurements of the crash scene in the course of the investigation. Fairmount Avenue was closed in both directions for several hours to accommodate the investigation.
The Crash Team has sent their findings to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for review and a decision on any charges.
Willis- YOU are the one who shouldn’t post if you don’t know what you’re talking about. It CLEARLY states on the DMV website, which I LINKED TO in my original post that scooters under 25mph are EXEMPT.
Since you can’t seem to read for yourself, here it is for your review, “Power-assisted vehicles operated 25 mph or less on Virginia roadways with a speed limit of 25 mph or less are exempt from the above requirements. If you are operating a power-assisted vehicle in excess of 25 mph, the vehicle would be considered a moped and you would be required to register and comply with all applicable laws.”
Clay’s right on the current law but I think Willis is right that this is changing soon.
again….a “scooter” isn’t a legal term so I don’t know what you are referring to but don’t get all butthurt about it. I clearly stated “All mopeds” of which pretty much everything is. The exemptions for “power-assisted” vehicles is for things like electric bicycles and powered wheelchairs….hell maybe even your riding lawnmower.
Source: I am personal friends with two-people (one of which is the vice-president of my club) on the DMV panel reviewing this which proposed the changes before they were made law, but you know if you want to be right that’s cool too. Functionally, the way the law is written everyone will be required to have their vehicles titled and registered unless your riding an electric bicycle.
Willis, I think your information is both biased and ill-informed. I’ve owned a scooter for 10 years and its not a moped, which technically has a motor and pedals. However, your comment is not relevant, nor is your comment regarding Chinese death traps, as many of the newer scooters are Korean or Taiwanese. Assuming anything about the rider killed is useless and asinine.
I myself was involved in a hit and run from a driver fleeing the scene of another hit and run who blew a stop sign at 50. The biggest threat to scooters and bike riders is driver, period. RPD does nothing to enforce traffic laws in the city and I could just as easily surmise the driver was at fault, based on this report. The rider very likely would have died with or without a helmet.
Fortunately, at least some people posting here, can provide accurate information.
So would this apply to golf carts as well? I’m seeing a few of them on the streets these days. For downtown living, a golf cart would be fun.
Cool story bro.
ok…look. Aside from you attempting to insult me, I’m gonna offer to buy you a beer. I’ve posted our club information, we have a facebook page. Look it up. We meet weekly and one of those weeks is even at Patrick Henry so you can certainly make it out. I won’t debate you on the internet about who knows how much about scooters, just come on out and ride with us and we can discuss why Chinese scooters are dangerous.
Point of the story is, sadly someone else has been killed on the roadways. Whether it was as a result of driver error, a unreliable machine or whatever the changes being made to the law will hopefully address some of those issues. Sorry if you feel I’m an unreliable source in regards to scootering. I’m not going to try and convince you otherwise. Come out and ride, we frequently work together to educate and inform our members on safe riding and how to maintain your machine. Best of Luck out there.
Willis thanks for your integrity. As usual ,the cowardly mystery division of commenters is well represented. Who could possibly give a ratshit what an anonymous poster vomits up from dipshit central HQ?You want to be treated like a neighbor? Use your real names you gutless twerps…….Its the peoples news …not the secret asshat squad news…..