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Huntsville police investigating death of Willis man in wreck
By Elliott Cochran
Huntsville Police officers are still investigating a two-vehicle accident that claimed the life of a 21-year-old Montgomery County man last week when his motorcyle struck a sports utility vehicle.
William Houston Briggs, 21, of Willis was killed at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 23 on Majestic Street when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck the SUV, officials said.
“It appears that the motorcycle driver attempted a turn, but laid the bike down and went into incoming traffic,” Sgt. Mike Legerski of the Huntsville Police Department said. “From the skid marks and the point of impact, he wasn’t able to avoid the accident.”
The driver of the SUV, 17-year-old Tyler Yeager of Huntsville, was not injured in the accident. Briggs was pronounced dead on the scene.
Briggs was traveling southeast on Majestic Street, which intersects with FM 1374, toward New Waverly, Legerski said.
The speed limit on the one- lane road is 55 miles per hour, and officials could not conclude if Briggs was speeding, but did say he was not wearing a helmet.
Officials are currently waiting for blood tests results to determine if alcohol or narcotics were involved in the accident, Legerski said.
“It’s not a problematic road for vehicle accidents,” he said, “This is the first accident I’ve seen there in many years.”
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe.
William Houston Briggs, 21, of Willis was killed at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 23 on Majestic Street when he lost control of his motorcycle and struck the SUV, officials said.
“It appears that the motorcycle driver attempted a turn, but laid the bike down and went into incoming traffic,” Sgt. Mike Legerski of the Huntsville Police Department said. “From the skid marks and the point of impact, he wasn’t able to avoid the accident.”
The driver of the SUV, 17-year-old Tyler Yeager of Huntsville, was not injured in the accident. Briggs was pronounced dead on the scene.
Briggs was traveling southeast on Majestic Street, which intersects with FM 1374, toward New Waverly, Legerski said.
The speed limit on the one- lane road is 55 miles per hour, and officials could not conclude if Briggs was speeding, but did say he was not wearing a helmet.
Officials are currently waiting for blood tests results to determine if alcohol or narcotics were involved in the accident, Legerski said.
“It’s not a problematic road for vehicle accidents,” he said, “This is the first accident I’ve seen there in many years.”
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe.
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Reader Comments
Whiskyecho wrote on Sep 30, 2008 7:13 AM:
" mrs. do gooder wrote on Sep 30, 2008 4:56 AM:
" Another death by motorcycle this year. How sad. Is anyone keeping count? My heart goes out to the family. "
I don't know - how many times have you posted.
Ref the article: Another (dead) fool riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet - do these idiots NOT read these articles ? "
" Another death by motorcycle this year. How sad. Is anyone keeping count? My heart goes out to the family. "
I don't know - how many times have you posted.
Ref the article: Another (dead) fool riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet - do these idiots NOT read these articles ? "
lynard wrote on Sep 30, 2008 8:05 AM:
" Helmets should be mandatory! Just as seatbelts are mandatory for car riders helmets should be mandatory for bike riders. Individuals riding and crashing without helmets on puts a strain on our health care system as well as raises the overall cost of medical care for all. We need to be proactive and enact laws that protect all, not try to keep a percentage of motorcycle riders who think it is their "right" to ride without a helmet happy. How about the "right" of society to not have to be burdened with paying for unneccessary emergency care and trauma care for those who sustain head injuries because they didn't want to wear a helmet? Tax payers are the true "victims" when it comes to non helmet wearing riders. WE pick up the tab on medical expences incurred as a result of this foolish decision. And just think, a $100.00 helmet could save not only a life, but a $500,000 hospital bill as well! As a trauma nurse I saw it all. But the most devatating and many times, the most prevenable were those who came in with head injuries after a motorcycle crash. If they had just worn a helmet! "
MyTgr8ful wrote on Sep 30, 2008 2:16 PM:
" Well if helmets become mandatory; then I think condoms should be mandatory as well! When do we as adults just start doing the right thing and quit letting laws be enacted that keep taking our freedom away. This man died riding his bike; YES, he did it without a helmet and maybe it could have been prevented by wearing a helmet or maybe that was exactly how he wanted to die. I don't know, but I do know that we give the goverment to much lenancy in making our decisions for us. From the fast food drive-ins to seat belt laws we are being told when, how and where to live; so why not just enforce a condom/birth control law while their at it. After all it's just our freedom that we keep handing over to them; one law at a time. IMO
I'm sorry for the family, and my prayers go out to you. "
I'm sorry for the family, and my prayers go out to you. "
MyTgr8ful wrote on Sep 30, 2008 2:26 PM:
" We also pick up the tab for babies being born left and right 24/7, and sometimes not always healthy babies. So while their enacting the helmet law and people are out spending $100.00 a helmet; they should go ahead and enact the birth control law so people can head on out an spend that $25.00 for a box of condoms and imagine the cost saved by all the people that can't afford a child not having it because of the birthcontrol law, and us not having to eat that cost or the cost of people that can't afford hospital care and have sexually transmitted diseases. Wow, condoms would probably cut down more of our hospital cost than helmets... Go Figure!! "
lynard wrote on Sep 30, 2008 3:20 PM:
" MyTgr8ful, I think you came up with a GREAT idea!! You are right when you say a birth control law would cut down on our heath care cost. As almost 45% of the births in Montgomery county are being charged to the tax payers, ie: MEDICAID!!!
But that is a whole other subject.
Look at the number of deaths due to motorcycle accidents in Texas, then look at the number of deaths in a state that mandates helmets,; such as Oregon. The difference is astounding! Less than a third of the fatal motorcycle crashes in the state of Oregon are attributed to head injuries. Think it is a coincidence that helmets are mandatory there?? Now look at Texas; 96% of fatal motorcycle accidents are from head trauma. How selfish of a person do you have to be to say helmets are a "right" you should be given as an adult. Anyone who has family or friends needs to think twice when getting on a bike without a helmet. It is pretty crappy to look back after the fact and say,"if only he/she would have wore a helmet they could have been here for this". Think about the people you would leave behind. Think about looking into your childs eyes and saying, " this is my right not to wear a helmet, and if I die I wish you good luck in life". It doesn't make sense not to wear a helmet. Plain and simple! "
But that is a whole other subject.
Look at the number of deaths due to motorcycle accidents in Texas, then look at the number of deaths in a state that mandates helmets,; such as Oregon. The difference is astounding! Less than a third of the fatal motorcycle crashes in the state of Oregon are attributed to head injuries. Think it is a coincidence that helmets are mandatory there?? Now look at Texas; 96% of fatal motorcycle accidents are from head trauma. How selfish of a person do you have to be to say helmets are a "right" you should be given as an adult. Anyone who has family or friends needs to think twice when getting on a bike without a helmet. It is pretty crappy to look back after the fact and say,"if only he/she would have wore a helmet they could have been here for this". Think about the people you would leave behind. Think about looking into your childs eyes and saying, " this is my right not to wear a helmet, and if I die I wish you good luck in life". It doesn't make sense not to wear a helmet. Plain and simple! "
MyTgr8ful wrote on Sep 30, 2008 4:00 PM:
" and I'm saying that we should be our own keepers... My child could get off the school bus, fall and bump his head on the curb and leave this world tomorrow. It would still be a head injury and I would still feel sorrow for the loss no matter how the death took place. I think people should still have that right and the freedom to choose, and if they choose to not wear a helmet than they choose the consequences. My son who's 21 wants a bike, and I still put my foot down every chance I get about him getting one because I don't want him to be a statistic. He would be the type to wear a helmet and be as safe as one could possibly be on one, but no matter how safe he was or how many helmets he wore; it doesn't mean the people he drove on the roads with; are gonna be as safe or aware of motorcyclist. With that being said; I think we are changing as a society because parents now make their children wear helmets when they start out on tricycles, and just as my kids are different than my generation they grew up wearing seat belts and don't mind doing so; and the generation coming up won't mind wearing helmets, but when do we say enough is enough on all the laws? I think that if a person buys a motorcycle they should purchase a helmet along with "mandatory" hospital and funeral insurance when they go to register the bike. That might open their eyes a little more than a law that's going to make them wear a helmet. "
MyTgr8ful wrote on Sep 30, 2008 4:37 PM:
" Ok, maybe we're not changing as a society; that might be taking it a bit far. Especially after looking at the percentages! I still feel it should be up to an individual as to whether they want to wear a helmet or not, and feel that any minor on a motorcycle, atv, go cart and etc... should be made to wear a helmet regardless, and a parent should be held accountable when they do not have one on. I think the life, accident, funeral, death insurance should be mandatory over the helmet along with a motorcycle training course, but that still doesn't make other drivers on the road from being careful of motorcyclist. I've almost ran over a few myself!
My son has a step brother that was killed 2 years back while riding his motorcycle. He wore his helmet and his mother sobs over it repeatedly, but that helmet didn't help him when he hit a pothole in the road and skidded over 50ft then plowed into a light pole. Maybe instead of forcing riders to wear helmets they should force manufacturers into making motorcycles more safe; how, I have NO idea; maybe making them all trics instead of the basic 2 wheels or perhaps permanent training wheels... It might deter motorcycle sales, but at least they'd be safer... "
My son has a step brother that was killed 2 years back while riding his motorcycle. He wore his helmet and his mother sobs over it repeatedly, but that helmet didn't help him when he hit a pothole in the road and skidded over 50ft then plowed into a light pole. Maybe instead of forcing riders to wear helmets they should force manufacturers into making motorcycles more safe; how, I have NO idea; maybe making them all trics instead of the basic 2 wheels or perhaps permanent training wheels... It might deter motorcycle sales, but at least they'd be safer... "
concerned driver wrote on Oct 1, 2008 10:03 AM:
" Prayers and support for both families left behind to suffer with the consequences of the victim who died and the driver who was involved in the accident. Its almost too much too bear but knowing that their loved one will have eternal life can help. Helmets may save a life but the life left behind will never be the same nor will it be the one we are used to. Motorcycles are built for speed and are not respected by the drivers or the other vehicles on the road. $100 helmets will not save a life. Maybe a $500 helmet or higher might but you have more chances of surviving with paralysis or lost limbs. Is that the life you are willing to risk trading for? Not only will you live but you get to live in places similar to mental institutions where noone really cares who you are or who you were before your accident. Just remember head injuries are forever and to survive one doesn't mean you will have a quality of life after the fact. Be safe and don't ride motorcycles and ATV's if you prefer a healthy brain and lifestyle. When you drive a car stay off the phone and stay away from other drivers on their cell phones as well. If God intended people to drive on the phone he would have had us invent phone booths on wheels first. "
MyTgr8ful wrote on Oct 1, 2008 10:52 AM:
" I agree 100% Concerned Driver... {Motorcycles} are DANGEROUS. They are NOT respected on the roadways nor are they always seen. I believe motorcycle companies can make a nice looking bike that is still speedy and gives a person the freedom of the open road with the hair blowing in the wind, and the driver can still wear the shirt that reads something like; "The ---ch fell off if you can read this shirt" or "Live to ride and ride to live" but be safer for the driver. My brother had a bike several years back and he was riding with a helmet when he wrecked the bike and ended up in a ditch with the bike on top of him. It started to rain as he laid in the ditch unable to move or get the bike off, and he couldn't raise his head up from the weight of the soaked helmet. He was very lucky that a passerby finally saw him and stopped to help him. He survived, but seeing the ultimate doom; finally got rid of the bike and hasn't been on another one since. I still feel it is up to an individual to have the right to choose a helmet or not! "
Whiskyecho wrote on Oct 1, 2008 12:37 PM:
" MyTgr8ful wrote on Oct 1, 2008 10:52 AM:
"..I still feel it is up to an individual to have the right to choose a helmet or not! "
The Law feels that way too (since it's not illegal to not wear a helmet).
Simply a matter of stupid or not stupid.
I just came off Hwy 105 where an attractive blond was riding a (not so quiet) motorcycle - speeding, hair blowing in the wind, no helmet, nice body wearing a tank top, changing lanes without signaling (a true little story).
I thought about this article and wondered which day it'll be that reports that she died after being thrown off her bike "
"..I still feel it is up to an individual to have the right to choose a helmet or not! "
The Law feels that way too (since it's not illegal to not wear a helmet).
Simply a matter of stupid or not stupid.
I just came off Hwy 105 where an attractive blond was riding a (not so quiet) motorcycle - speeding, hair blowing in the wind, no helmet, nice body wearing a tank top, changing lanes without signaling (a true little story).
I thought about this article and wondered which day it'll be that reports that she died after being thrown off her bike "
MyTgr8ful wrote on Oct 1, 2008 1:29 PM:
" Whiskyecho,
I think we seen the same woman. Was it a Pink and Black tank? Regardless how she drove or whether or not she wore a helmet; It's her choice, and she has to live or die with her consequences!!
When we hand over our rights of freedom and rights to choose; then eventually only certain colors of vehicles will be allowed to drive on the roads on certain days of the week. I think people who ride anything other than in a vehicle should wear a helmet, but I don't own a motorcycle nor do I ever wish to own one, so who am I to impose my feelings on a person who does own and enjoy riding motorcycle.
Their safety only becomes my problem when I endanger them or they endanger me.
example: I bought me an expensive pair of Fendi sunglasses once, and while I was out driving around I noticed that the sides of the frames really blocked my side vision and doubled my blind spot, so I took them off and threw them in the glove box and never wore them again while I was driving. I could have kept them on and looked all fly, but I felt like I endangered mine and the lives of others while I was out driving with them on. I had that choice to wear them or not, and I chose to be safe and everybody should have that choice.
Anyways, I'm thru here.. The laws are going to be enacted or not; regardless. I'm just tired of my rights being handed over and having to suck it up, and like I said previously; I don't even own a bike so it's not going to affect me one way or the other.
I feel horrible for the family and there loss, and my respects go out to them. "
I think we seen the same woman. Was it a Pink and Black tank? Regardless how she drove or whether or not she wore a helmet; It's her choice, and she has to live or die with her consequences!!
When we hand over our rights of freedom and rights to choose; then eventually only certain colors of vehicles will be allowed to drive on the roads on certain days of the week. I think people who ride anything other than in a vehicle should wear a helmet, but I don't own a motorcycle nor do I ever wish to own one, so who am I to impose my feelings on a person who does own and enjoy riding motorcycle.
Their safety only becomes my problem when I endanger them or they endanger me.
example: I bought me an expensive pair of Fendi sunglasses once, and while I was out driving around I noticed that the sides of the frames really blocked my side vision and doubled my blind spot, so I took them off and threw them in the glove box and never wore them again while I was driving. I could have kept them on and looked all fly, but I felt like I endangered mine and the lives of others while I was out driving with them on. I had that choice to wear them or not, and I chose to be safe and everybody should have that choice.
Anyways, I'm thru here.. The laws are going to be enacted or not; regardless. I'm just tired of my rights being handed over and having to suck it up, and like I said previously; I don't even own a bike so it's not going to affect me one way or the other.
I feel horrible for the family and there loss, and my respects go out to them. "
perse wrote on Oct 1, 2008 2:18 PM:
" OK. Here's the deal for all of you that think helmets are an unwarranted infringement on individual liberty...
If you choose NOT to wear a helmet as an expression of individual choice AND you have an accident ... NO assistance of any sort that requires any of the rest of us to help pay for your decision. No taxpayer provided ambulance, emergency room, hospital or medical care. No insurance reimbursement for any of your expenses since that would raise premiums for the rest of us. You pay every penny up front in advance out of your own pocket or do without -- and no tax breaks for these expenses even if you itemize. No law enforcement investigation that we have to pay for into the causes of your accident -- even if it might appear that someone intentionally ran you down. You're just another squirrel in the roadway.
If, however, you would like the rest of us to help share the risks you are taking and pitch in with our taxes and insurance premiums in case of an accident, then it becomes MANDATORY that you wear a helmet and proper protective gear (including eye protection). Now, you can claim it is your choice what you want to do.
But until such time as this is the case, helmet laws should make the use mandatory for anyone stupid enough to think about riding a motorcycle without one. "
If you choose NOT to wear a helmet as an expression of individual choice AND you have an accident ... NO assistance of any sort that requires any of the rest of us to help pay for your decision. No taxpayer provided ambulance, emergency room, hospital or medical care. No insurance reimbursement for any of your expenses since that would raise premiums for the rest of us. You pay every penny up front in advance out of your own pocket or do without -- and no tax breaks for these expenses even if you itemize. No law enforcement investigation that we have to pay for into the causes of your accident -- even if it might appear that someone intentionally ran you down. You're just another squirrel in the roadway.
If, however, you would like the rest of us to help share the risks you are taking and pitch in with our taxes and insurance premiums in case of an accident, then it becomes MANDATORY that you wear a helmet and proper protective gear (including eye protection). Now, you can claim it is your choice what you want to do.
But until such time as this is the case, helmet laws should make the use mandatory for anyone stupid enough to think about riding a motorcycle without one. "
MyTgr8ful wrote on Oct 1, 2008 2:40 PM:
" So perse do you feel the same about people that get into their vehicle and don't buckle up? Don't they raise insurance premiums? Do you feel the same about a person running over someone while on their cell phone? What about a person that gets hit before they even get a chance to put that helmet on; would they be excluded? I think the death, life, funeral, hospital and what ever else kind of insurance should be a mandatory purchase right along with the bike and accessories, but the helmet should be a choice as well as the consequences...
Perse,
Do you feel people who have unprotected sex and wind up pregnant, and unable to pay for it be required to give birth at home without medical personel? After all they could have used protection but chose against it, and we as taxpayers have to pay for that as well. "
Perse,
Do you feel people who have unprotected sex and wind up pregnant, and unable to pay for it be required to give birth at home without medical personel? After all they could have used protection but chose against it, and we as taxpayers have to pay for that as well. "
mrs. do gooder wrote on Sep 30, 2008 4:56 AM: