Earlier today Georgia State Troopers clocked an Atlanta motorcyclist driving at 130 miles per hour as they pursued him on I-75 in Cobb County. The driver has been identified as 22-year-old Gaylord Ray Pearson, III, from the Savannah area, according to a report from WSB-TV.
Troopers say they don’t know why he was fleeing from them. The high-speed motorcycle chase started with a routine traffic stop. Pearson was pulled over by a State Trooper for driving erratically. When the officer got out of his car, the motorcyclist sped away. The officer pursued the evading motorcyclist, and other officers, including Cobb County officers, joined the chase.
The motorcycle quickly reached triple-digit speeds, and officers clocked it traveling at speeds as fast as 130 MPH. The pursuit continued south on I-75 but did not last long. The case ended when Pearson laid down his bike and crashed into an SUV from Virginia.
Amazingly, Pearson walked away from the high-speed motorcycle crash. Actually, he hobbled away, but he did not have any apparent injuries. Video from WSB-TV showed Pearson sitting in the back of a GSP car and shaking. Officers said they were surprised that he was not injured in the crash. Most motorcycle crash victims are not so lucky.
We may never know why Pearson decided to try to evade officers, but we now that he is now sitting in jail, facing felony charges. Luckily, no one was injured in this high-speed chase. In 2007, 156 Georgia motorcyclists died in accidents. More often than not, the fault of the wreck lies with the other driver. Most motorcyclists are responsible, but those who are not put us all at risk.
Over the past decade, fatality rates in motorcycle accidents have increased. In Atlanta, I have seen more high-speed motorcycles on the road in recent years. Frankly, it makes me very nervous when I see a biker or a group of motorcyclists speeding down the highway.
Motorcyclists are obviously at increased risk for injury – in fact, a motorcycle wreck almost always results in an injury to the motorcyclist – but when motorcyclists speed, they put other drivers at risk, too.
Remember, it can be hard to see a motorcycle, especially at intersections. Keep your eyes open for motorcycles, and take your time when making turns at intersections. Make sure that no vehicles are speeding toward the intersection. Sometimes it can take a few seconds to judge the speed of another vehicle. Give yourself time to be safe.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver (driving too fast, for example), contact an attorney immediately. You may be entitled to compensation, but you must act quickly before crucial evidence disappears. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.