Houston Area Man Charged in Motorcycle Accident That Killed Wife
A man from Friendswood took his wife out on a ride on his motorcycle in the early hours of August 8. They were traveling westbound on Sam Houston Parkway East on his 2002 Harley Davidson, approaching the Beamer exit ramp, reports the Houston Chronicle. Joe Guerrero Jr. was almost caught on the exit ramp, so he tried to quickly get off the ramp to stay on the highway. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful. His bike rammed into the barrels that lined the ramp. Both he and his wife were ejected from the bike.
When emergency services arrived, they were both found lying face down on the pavement. The motorcycle itself was wrecked. They were taken to the hospital as soon as possible, but Guerrero’s wife, Kimberly died. For his part, Guerrero suffered serious injuries.
Allegedly, Guerrero had as many as five drinks before heading out on his bike. He admitted to as much, according to court documents. A crash reconstruction team collected evidence and prepared a report that confirmed that alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. When Guerrero was discharged from the hospital a few days later, the police were waiting for him. He was charged with intoxication manslaughter. He was held at Harris County on a $30,000 bail, and he bonded out later on. The case is ongoing.
Motorcycles are fun to ride, but they can be quite dangerous. Chances are, if you ride one long enough, you’ll get in an accident. First of all, if you are in an accident, the first thing you should do is get yourself to safety if you’re able to. That means getting away from leaking gasoline, or electrical wires, or anything else that can harm you.
Call emergency services immediately if you or anyone else is hurt. If you’re unsure, then call anyway. You might have a serious internal injury that can only be dealt with by medical treatment. Throughout all of this, make sure to stay calm. Panicking will not help the situation at all. This also includes getting angry at other motorists and getting into arguments. Staying calm will also help prevent you from assigning blame, which you should never do. Also never accept blame, since that can be used against you in the claims process later on.
Do not leave the scene, and document everything you can. If everyone is safe or stable, then take pictures and make a mental note of the circumstances of the accident. You can report this information to the police when they arrive.
After the dust has settled and you’ve had your injuries tended to, the next step should be to contact a Houston motorcycle accident attorney. An attorney can help with several issues, including if you’re accused of causing the accident or if your insurance claim is denied. They will also help you seek any damage compensation if applicable, and file any claims with your insurance company or with the courts. Contact one today to talk about your case.
