Motorcyclist, 22, killed in crash near Hammond

HAMMOND — A two-vehicle crash near Hammond took the life of a 22-year-old Walker man Monday morning, State Police reported.

Christopher Kelley was driving his motorcycle southbound on La. 443 shortly after 7 a.m. Monday, when a Cadillac Escalade, traveling north, made a left turn onto Magazine Street directly into the path of Kelley’s bike, Trooper Nicholas Manale said in a news release.

The motorcycle hit the right rear side of the Cadillac, and Kelley and the bike fell onto its side and slid down the highway before coming to rest on the northbound shoulder of La. 443, Manale said.

Kelley, who was wearing a Department of Transportation certified helmet at the time of the crash, was transported to North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, where he later succumbed to his injuries, Manale said.

The driver of the Cadillac, 49-year-old Linda Atkins, of Hammond, was wearing a seat belt and was not injured in the crash.

She was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on counts of negligent homicide and failure to yield while turning left, Manale said.

Driver impairment is not suspected for either driver, pending toxicology examinations at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. Driver inattention is suspected to be the primary factor leading to the crash, Manale said.

Comments

1) Comment by Springer98 - 20/11/2012

Left hand turns into the path of an oncoming motorcycle are the most deadly situations an experienced rider will ever face. I was almost killed in 2005 by the same scenario. I have seen women driving while putting on make up. I've seen people texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. One moment of not paying attention can take a life! No matter how guilty you may feel, you can never bring a person back after you have killed them, because of your negligence! Please, people, give the task of driving 100% of your attention!!

2) Comment by ebbette - 20/11/2012

As a mother who has buried a child, my heart is with the family and loved ones of Chris. Chris is also known by my daughter and many of her friends. I am 58, also ride my own motorcycle and each time I ride, an idiot pulls out in front of me. Driver inattention is NO EXCUSE. WE ARE NOT INVISIBLE. My oldest child was murdered and this is just another form of the same thing. This woman needs to see some jail time. I'm sure she wishes she could "take it back" but that is the problem with life - there are NO DO OVERS and she will have to live with the fact she killed someone the rest of her life. I pray each time I ride someone like her doesn't kill ME.