This one hit me hard...

[kjsett]

A three-vehicle crash that closed Highway 22 just east of Gates for several hours Wednesday left one Stayton man dead, the Oregon State Police said.

Lt. Tim Fox said in a press release that the crash occurred about 12:30 p.m. when a westbound 2011 Ford F-150 driven by James L. Martin, 77, of Silverton, attempted to make a left turn into Niagara County Park. At that moment 68-year-old Ronald D. Riggs, of Stayton, was riding a 1995 Kawasaki motorcycle eastbound on Highway 22, and the vehicles collided.

Riggs was ejected from his motorcycle and then hit by a passing boat trailer being towed by a third vehicle. Riggs was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the release, Martin’s vehicle turned left into traffic without yielding. Riggs was wearing a protective helmet.

The Gates Fire Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon Department of Transportation assisted state police.

Email aroemeling@statesmanjournal.com, call (503) 399-6884 or follow on Twitter @alisharoemeling
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Though I only have actually met Ron less than a dozen times, he always treated me as a friend. Very welcoming and giving to myself and others. I was looking forward to at least having a few minutes of his time next month, now that will have to wait till I join him on those other roads past this life.
Thank you for your time,
Ken Settles (born and raised and still call Oregon/Washington home)

[joelcolletti]

Hi Ken,

Thank you for posting the report for us: Saddening and horrific to say the least - Our condolences.

Ron and I had grown closer since riding to the Kanab Rally together. We even rode cross country to the 25th Rally with Don and Trisha from CA; and he was an excellent motorcyclist. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I can see why it "hit you hard." That was an awful and violent way to pass for such a gentle soul. I'm filled with many thoughts and anger, that in this day and age, motorists don't see cyclists and turn in front them. It's just such a dangerous world to live in.

Makes me want to sell my machine and stay off the roads all together. Maybe spend more time on the single track mountain bike trails behind our home in Montara; and tell all those that I care about how much they mean to me each day.

This club and its members mean a lot to me.


Ron and Joel at the Tonopah Test Range (Nevada) on Route to 2012 Kanab Rally (Photos by Roger Allen)





Ron, Roger and I meeting up with our Norcal Club members in Kanab



Ron in Bryce Canyon on a day trip we took from Kanab



Our Coast to Coast Photo of AVA Ray Walls Classic Tour in Wrightvilles Beach N.C.

Joel, Don, Ron, Trisha



Don, Trisha and Ron in Vail on Route to 2014 Asheville NC Rally



Ron, Joel, Don and Trisha at the Harley Davidson Museum Exhibition 2014



Trisha, Don, Joel and Ron on the way home from 2014 Ashville Rally (Photo taken by Local w/ 125RM Suzuki in background)



Counting our blessings,
Joel Colletti for Susan Christine

[cushman eagle]

It certainly hurts to hear of a loss of one of our friends that violently.I lost a brother due to a drunk driver tee boning a car he was driving 18 years ago,and the patrol man refused his widows request to give the drunk a breathalyzer test.I always wondered if he knew the drunk.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Our prayers go out to his family during this time.


Kevin Braddy
Lacey Braddy
IPVMC

[kjsett]

Makes me want to sell my machine and stay off the roads all together. Maybe spend more time on the single track mountain bike trails behind our home in Montara; and tell all those that I care about how much they mean to me each day.
This club and its members mean a lot to me.
Counting our blessings,
Joel Colletti

I will be riding up to Oregon 2 weeks after the Estes Park Rally.
It just struck me that it is a dangerous world (it helps to have the assurance of Faith in a future after this time here). It can be, and is dangerous on a motorcycle when others aren't caring enough to pay attention to their surroundings and even driving impaired. Being impaired isn't just by drinking, we can also be impaired by our choices. Be it by Pride (those rules don't apply to me), or related attitude (i can still drive - i'm not too old, drunk, sick, etc..). Tech (texting/dialing or other related distractions) has become a major killer because people think that "I'll do what I want to", or "I've always done it and it hasn't hurt anyone".

The same day that Ron was taken, another bicyclist was killed (and two other injured), when a driver says he couldn't see because of the sun in his/her eyes (nearby Portland, OR area, also elderly). I can't speak to that incident, nor can I say that I haven't kept going when I should have pulled over, but maybe we can all learn something from this tragedy. If we do, Ron's passing wouldn't have been for nothing. I can't speak for him, nor his family, but I know he did love to ride, and so do I.
Maybe we can try to be just that much more aware of our surroundings. Watch that vehicle heading my way just a little more closely. Practice our avoidance maneuvers more often just in case (had to swerve 3 times in the last week because of drivers cutting me off and debris in the road). Try to not drive/ride when not up to snuff ourselves. Have the best safety equipment, and vehicle that we can afford.
It's all a matter of choices. I guess I choose to ride till I hear the good Lord is telling me otherwise.
Thank you for your time,
Ken

[Chris near Kansas City]

I guess I choose to ride till I hear the good Lord is telling me otherwise. Ken

That probably sums it up as best as possible right now, under the circumstances. Dot, Bruce, and now Ron. Just a big hole right now in my heart.

Chris

[the2knights]

There is absolutely not a good way to respond to this news.
Tina and I joined the board after the 25th rally. Ron was fairly quiet at the rally, but I surely enjoyed talking with him. It was obvious from the start that he really enjoyed riding, and he was an advocate for the AVA in every respect.
Once we started communicating more after joining the board, that is when I find out how much this quiet gentle man had to say. Turns out it was a lot, and not always what you wanted him to say, but every single exchange we had he was always thinking of the entire AVA. He may have had strong opinions, but her sure was not selfish in the slightest bit. A lot of the progress the AVA has made in the last year is in no small part due to Rons enthusiasm!
Tina and I did not have the chance for a long road trip with Ron, and we are saddened that will not happen. I know he was already looking forward to next years rally as well!
I do know that I will not miss one opportunity to enjoy a voyage on our motorcycle. I would never ride because I owe it to someone, but I sure will think of Ron and smile every time I throw a leg over the seat.
Tina and I pass along our thoughts and prayers to all family and friends of Ron!

[Lucasind]

This news is so sad. Pam and my deepest condolences to Ron's family and such a huge loss to the AVA family. As relatively new members to the group ...we have always felt very welcomed by Ron.
We have tears in our eyes as I write this ...and now feel even more strongly about attending this years rally in support of ALL that Ron has done for the AVA. God bless ...................Tony & Pam

[voyager55]

How Sad, So many bike deaths this year.
Prayers sent to all family members & friends

[usmalenurse]

So very sorry to hear this news. I only knew Ron for a couple of years but he let me share a room with him at the Voyager rally in Ohio a couple of years back. Quiet and reserved and a wealth of knowledge. His work with the website speaks for itself and he will be greatly missed.
My prayers are extended to his family and all his friends.....

[ekap1200]

I am at a loss for words , and feel angered at the driver that turned into him. It was a year ago I was behind a rider that had a pick up turn in front of us and on my knees he took his last breath. That pain and sorrow will haunt me for the rest of my life. That same pain and sorrow is back and I will miss Ron very much. I can not shake this anger I have today at those that do not see us on the road. Our prayers go out to all that knew Ron and his family. Eugene and Marie Kapuscinski

[sir old dirt]

Char and I are so saddened to learn of this tragic death.
Our prayers and Christian love to Ron's family.
Bob & Char Jones

[Mr Jensee]

I am saddened that a good man that lived to the age of 68 had to die so violently and so tragically due to another irresponsible driver. Around here I despise pickup trucks. For some reason the drivers seem so arrogant and aggressive on the roads. Louisiana has a lot of pickup trucks. I get bullied almost every time I get out on the road in my car. They cut into your lane without warning or even a signal. They tailgate you when you aren't going over the speed limit. A lot of them tow utility trailers without signal lamps. Yeah I am prejudiced. I drove ambulances which are huge vehicles for a lot of years and I know what it feels like to drive them. I used to own a pickup back in the 90's, a Ford F-150 super cab. It just seems that these drivers, often young are compensating for something the way their personalities change when behind the wheel of a pickup. I almost hate to get out on the road anymore, especially on my motorcycle. I realize now why so many of us bikers put tons of lights on our bikes. It is a way of shouting openly, PLEASE JUST SEE ME! Rest in Peace Ron, sorry I will never get to meet you in person.

[Ditto]

As has already been said, I am at a loss for words. Ron was a good man and I will miss him greatly. My prayers and condolences to all his family and wealth of friends.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

The cloud of sadness hovering over me is tremendous and heavy but this too will pass.Ron was a great person and always demonstrated to me that respect is the utmost gift you can give (outside of love). I truly have nothing but respect for that man, his life and word!

Ron, thank you for being a part of the AVA family and sharing your wealth of knowledge with all of us while you were here.
Put in a good word for all of us and if you get the chance, watch over us when you can. I'm sure you are in a good place with all who've gone before you.

God Bless and enjoy that ride in the sky, till we meet again. Sincerely Scott

[Bill O]

So, so sad. Be at peace.

Bill O

[joelcolletti]

"... maybe we can all learn something from this tragedy. If we do, Ron's passing wouldn't have been for nothing."

"...It's all a matter of choices. I guess I choose to ride till I hear the good Lord is telling me otherwise."
Ken

Thank you for your words of wisdom; they truly are words to live by. After reading the report, I asked myself what can I do to honor him: All your thoughts really spoke to that; and for that I'm feeling a little more at peace. For me, it all does come back to Faith.

[vxiirider]

We were so happy to welcome Ron, Trisha, Don and Joel to our home last summer after the rally in Asheville and now so terribly saddened by his senseless death while doing something that he loved so much. God speed Ron and our deepest sympathy to his family.

John Ramsay and Mary Jane Hummel.

[joelcolletti]

We were so happy to welcome Ron, Trisha, Don and Joel to our home last summer after the rally in Asheville and now so terribly saddened by his senseless death while doing something that he loved so much. God speed Ron and our deepest sympathy to his family.

John Ramsay and Mary Jane Hummel.

Found this photo of us from that beautiful day

John, Mary Jane, Trisha, Don, Ron, Joel

[voyager55]

Which one is Ron?

We were so happy to welcome Ron, Trisha, Don and Joel to our home last summer after the rally in Asheville and now so terribly saddened by his senseless death while doing something that he loved so much. God speed Ron and our deepest sympathy to his family.

John Ramsay and Mary Jane Hummel.

Found this photo of us from that beautiful day