A North Texas biker has a message for drivers after surviving a horrific freeway accident caught on camera on his bike.
HORRIFIC CRASH CAPTURED ON CAMERA
The impact was quick and violent.
“I flew through the air and hit the guy’s windshield head first,” said Timothy Maroney of Mesquite. “My helmet stole my head so I had no helmet.”
The father of two children was returning home on the evening of May 15.
Rush-hour traffic on Interstate 635 near Jupiter Road in Garland has come to a halt.
Maroney is seen slowing with traffic when a car crashes into the back of his bike.
The impact sent him flying into the windshield and then down the center lane, landing on his tailbone.
“The first thing that came to mind was: don’t get run over. Don’t get run over. Stay consistent,” he recalled. “Stay focused on this because these were real things. It’s between me living or dying.
The entire incident was captured on Maroney’s GoPro 360 camera mounted on his motorcycle.
He previously installed the camera to watch videos of his rides.
He remembers that the driver of the car stopped.
“His exact words were: it’s okay, mate,” Maroney said.
The driver stayed put.
In nearly 40 years of riding a motorcycle, Maroney says he has never had an accident so far.
FATAL MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS ON THE RISE IN TEXAS
Maroney is now among the troubling statistics recorded during the pandemic.
“In 2020, while fewer people were driving, we still saw a 17% increase across the state in fatal motorcycle crashes,” said Daniel Armbruster, spokesperson for AAA Texas and New -Mexico.
Motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in an accident, according to AAA.
Traffic accidents tend to increase from late spring to fall.
Everyone, pay attention. To slow down.
Timothy Maroney, Motorcycle Crash Survivor
The association has also recorded an increase in risky driving behaviors during the pandemic.
“We noticed an increase in texting and driving or distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, as well as aggressive driving,” Armbruster said.
“Most motorcycle accidents in Texas happen at or near intersections. So be on the lookout for motorcyclists when changing lanes as you approach intersections. Just take a double look over your shoulder and make sure it’s clear before you change lanes, as it’s very easy to miss a motorcyclist if you take a quick look over- over your shoulder,” Armbruster said. “So be on the lookout for cyclists and remember that’s the time of year they’re going to come out.”
MARONEY’S RECOVERY IS SLOW AFTER CRASH
Maroney recovers at home and is unable to work. He can only sit or stand for 10 minutes a day.
“I broke my back in three places, my L4, L5 and T12,” he said. “I broke my sacrum which is the bone that connects to your tailbone and then I broke my tailbone and three toes.”
He also suffered a rash, but credits his safety gear with saving his life.
He will know in a few weeks if he will have to undergo back surgery.
His broken bike is in the garage.
Driving at night is now prohibited, his wife said.
“Just happy to be alive,” he said. “It’s painful.”
This grateful survivor has a plea for all drivers.
“There’s a mother, there’s a father, or a sibling, or a wife, we’re all driving around and everyone’s just trying to get home with their kids or their family,” he said. he declares. “Everyone, be careful. To slow down.”
According to Garland Police, officers did not issue a citation to the driver of the car.
The Maroney family has a verified GoFundMe account to help cover medical expenses and bills.
