Teen Severely Injured in Motorbike Accident on Reston Parkway

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by Karen Goff May 9, 2014 at 10:44 am 7,240 51 Comments

Update, 10:40 a.m. Friday

A 17-year-old on a motorbike who was injured in a Thursday afternoon accident at Reston Parkway and Wiehle Avenue remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, Fairfax County Police said.

The boy was injured when he attempted to make a left hand turn on to Wiehle Avenue about 3:51 p.m.

Two SUVs — an Acura MDX and a Lexus GX470 — were headed southbound on Reston Parkway and had the right of way, said police public information officer Bud Walker.

The motorbike driver made the left turn and crossed into the path of the SUVs. He was struck by the Acura, which was in the left lane. The Acura then struck the Lexus.

Walker said neither speed nor alcohol was a factor in the accident. Neither vehicle driver was injured or charged. It is not known if the teen was wearing a helmet. Police did not release the teen’s name.

Witnesses said the teen’s bike was on fire and he flew about eight feet in the air after he hit the SUV. They also said bystanders administered CPR until rescue crews arrived.

Original story, 7 p.m. Thursday: Two of Reston’s major roads were closed for more than an hour during Thursday’s evening rush hour as Fairfax County Police investigated a crash involving the driver of a car and a man on a motorbike.

The accident occurred on Reston Parkway near Wiehle Avenue at 3:51 p.m., police said.

The man was injured and was taken to the hospital, police said. They did not release his name or the extent of his injuries.

Deedee-a Bessala

It all happened right in front of me. I saw the boy flying about 8 feet above the ground after being hit by the SUV then slammed on the asphalt…I really wished I missed that part. I rushed in to help with some other drivers. I moved the burning bike to the roadside, then helped the two nurses who happened to be at the scene with the CPR. The suv driver was inconsolable…he cried and cried and cried out to the Lord for help. Another lady at the scene just kneed down and started to pray. We tried the CPR again and again and again…but the boy never responded. the firefighters took the relay when they got at the scen. I really hope and pray that , with their advanced skills, they were able to bring the boy back to life. I just can’t keep that scene out of my mind
- Jamie Finch
  
  I was there with you yesterday. It was horrific. I cannot get the images out of my head either. Late last night I saw a twitter post from one of the boys friends that he is alive with serious brain trauma. I keep scanning the news to confirm but am unable to find anything on the accident.
  - Karen Goff
    
    I like to think this is “the news” as far as local stuff goes. Hopefully we can get an update from police later. This is all the info they had.
  - Karen Goff
    
    I like to think this is “the news” for local stuff. This was all the police had (or would give me). Hope to have an update later.
  - Jem Cee Connell
    
    I pulled up to the scene about ten seconds after it happened. I saw Deedee move the burning bike…I was positive the boy was dead – Jamie, you saying he is alive makes me feel so much better…at least he has a chance. That was one of the most horrific things I’ve ever witnessed…I mean the road was literally on fire. I am praying for his family.
    - Jamie Finch
      
      There was so much fire, it was like nothing I have ever seen. I am just praying for some kind of goon news.
    - Keith Brown
      
      I also pulled up about this time and saw Deedee move the bike and work to smother the flames. Saw someone else dousing the flames on the SUV with a water bottle. I was encouraged to see so many people stepping up to do what needed to be done before the paramedics could get there. I could only imagine that it was one of my own kids laying there in the road. Would love to have updates on the boys status.
      - TheKingJAK
        
        One note of caution: Be careful when utilizing water around potential fuel fires, because it can easily spread them. Granted, if that’s all that anyone had on-scene I’d probably be doing the same thing myself, even garden hoses can suppress flames, but fire extinguishers are ideal so long as you catch it before it spreads. The largest vehicle fire I’ve ever witnessed involved a pickup truck with flames reaching higher than the nearby tree tops, and the poor driver was standing there with a tiny fire extinguisher unable to do anything because it had already engulfed the vehicle. Luckily the engine arrived before the entire thing blew up right in the middle of traffic. I echo your sentiments, though: Great job being active participants in rendering aid as opposed to inactive bystanders in shock and/or snapping photos. First aid and quick thinking is what saves lives, as does improvisation (eg, Water bottle on SUV). You work with what you have, and hope for the best outcome as a result of such.
  - Deedee-a Bessala
    
    I really hope and pray that the tweet happen to be true…that will make me feel a lot better. I wasn’t able to sleep at night with those images stuck in my brain.
    - Jamie Finch
      
      I have found out that the family does not want to release any information about their son at this time. I keep thinking about his face. I’m praying for a miracle.
      - Jamie Finch
        
        I just got word of this young boys passing. I keep thinking about his young face and pray for solace for the family. Tragic, absolutely tragic.
- Karen Goff
  
  Yikes. Thank you for the details. Sounds just awful
- TheKingJAK
  
  I’ve known severe burn victims in cardiac arrest to be resuscitated by EMTs and Paramedics before, so it’s always possible. The person can still be alive with a pulse without being responsive, and working on them at least gives them a fighting chance. Good on you and the others present, because you did a good job, you did your duty as a fellow citizen and helped someone in need.
- Guest
  
  Can you check your facebook messages. I am sending you a message. It says it will go to your “other” email box since we are not friends. I have a request from the family for you.
  - Deedee-a Bessala
    
    Try to send again, my facebook settings were the reason why you couldn’t contact me. I just changed it
Deedee-a Bessala

I think there is a misreport “The motorbike driver made the left turn, but then struck the Lexus” . How did the bike ended up in front and under the SUV then? No, the SUV struck the motorbike, that’s what happened.
- Keith Brown
  
  I’m pretty sure I saw a helmet laying in the road, along with the boys shoes. maybe someone else can confirm.
  - Deedee-a Bessala
    
    yeah I took it off with the help of the 2 nurses before we started to administrate the CPR…that’s just ridiculous.
  - Deedee-a Bessala
    
    The police officers didn’t even bother to ask us what happened, they just rushed to kick us out of the scene…I don’t know where they got that made up story from.
    - tim stevens
      
      Typical reston meter maids. They should stick to shaking down citizens for dark window tint. The worst:-!
      - TheKingJAK
        
        Lol, I don’t know about the meter maid comment, but the local police certainly do need to step-up their enforcement of serious traffic related offenses as opposed to the minor stuff. When drivers manage to rip through the curvy.hilly portion of Wiehle Avenue at 20-30 MPH over the speed limit, and people constantly run red lights and stop signs, then we have a serious problem and it needs to be adressed. FCPD needs to step-up their traffic enforcement game for the serious offenses which present danger to life and limb.
    - TheKingJAK
      
      If true, that’s disappointing. I’ve actually witnessed the wrong person found guilty of an accident before, all because the police didn’t record on-scene witness statements. If they don’t take your statement then always be certain to exchange numbers with everyone involved, and get the case number so you can follow-up with the investigators.
- Karen Goff
  
  Deedee I am just going by the police report. According to the police, the SUV driver had the right of way and motorbike crashed into it.
  - Deedee-a Bessala
    
    I know you are just going by what is in the report, I’m just saying the report has some misinformation. The boy didn’t crash into the SUV. It’s the SUV that struck him…the SUV even drag the bike couple feet away before coming to a stop, and the bike was stuck right in front and under the SUV. I’m not attributing the wrong to anyone, I’m saying what actually happened.
    - Jamie Finch
      
      The boy was wearing a helmet, it was placed next to him when CPR started.
      The SUV definitely struck the motorcycle. It seemed as if the gas tank on the motorcycle might have exploded when it was hit. The Acura SUV was on fire as was the motor bike.
      - Jem Cee Connell
        
        I hope everyone who witnessed it gets to testify as to what they saw. There were quite a few people that saw it actually happen.
      - Deedee-a Bessala
        
        I spoke with them…i believe the report came from the SUV driver statement who is obviously trying to cover himself. I didn’t see what happened prior the accident, but i saw the impact and what followed after. He might not be at fault but he has to say the truth…he stuck the boy and not the inverse.
      - Ryan
        
        I have a little information on the child. He was a 17 junior at Herndon highschool. His bike was not licensed. His name is not supposed to be released so i will not spread it, I have an inside source saying he survived the night but not sure how he is doing now
      - Deedee-a Bessala
        
        Thanks, i got that information earlier. I’m feeling better knowing that at least he has a chance, because i thought he was gone yesterday. Hopefully he will fully recover. However I’m a bit disappointed of the way the police handled the report, all witnesses at the scene will confirm that they didnt bother taking statements from them. If officer Walker really said what is written above, then all i will say is is “shame on him and all his colleagues who responded to the emergency.”
      - janelle
        
        I have been searching for answers regarding this accident I was there seconds after it happened. It was horrible, surreal and frightening, to be that close. As a mother everything inside of me started to shudder. I saw Jamie run across intersection to help. Cars were surrounding. I saw a man with glasses sobbing and distraught I was on my way to pick up my 10 year old son from Forestville Elementary. I was in the center lane parked waiting when I saw the fire on the front of the gold suv, a Bright Red Helmet very large and an orange dirt bike up on the grass. I saw Dee Dee trying to put out the fire, I smelled of burning oil. I saw a tall blonde teenage girl standing in the center of Reston parkway southbound lane reporting to 911. Fearful of explosion I drove forward, I couldn’t see the boy yet until the cars started to move in front of me, that’s when I saw behind the SUV and saw the women giving CPR to the young man and that’s when it hit me Oh My Lord he could die, I started asking God at the top of my lungs to save him, Praying all of those helping him, the intersection of drivers were in shock and disbelief. Its Saturday and I am hearing he is alive and I feel so grateful. My prayers were with the families and their son. I couldn’t believe the paramedics weren’t there its 1 minute away from Old Reston Ave Station.
        I felt so powerless, with a young life in crisis, he wasn’t alone, God was with him, and so many loving human beings.
        God bless you all who could reach him and get to him. True heroes!
        I saw Jamie back at Forestville we were both so upset, she was told the boy didn’t make it. As a mother that pain goes deep, and as a human being, you look at your child hug them hold them love them, life can be over in a split second. I don’t tweet but I had tweeted for everyone to pray for this boy, I believe prayer in numbers is so powerful.
        Later that night at my sons practice still overwhelmed with sadness , everyone was late due to traffic, I was speaking with a grandfather of one of the children and he told me he was a motorcyclist for twelve years, he said, drivers don’t look for cyclists when making a left turn, or cyclist turning left its like a blind spot if they don’t see a car they are already committed to turning, he learned early on to be aware of that and be cautious.
      - Lori
        
        I learned early this afternoon that the boy’s mom is a longtime friend of mine, and I’m heartbroken. He passed away this morning.
      - Deedee-a Bessala
        
        That’s breaking my heart…i haven’t been able to sleep for the pass two days. how am i gonna take that picture of him off my head now? For once that i tried to use the lifesaving skills that I’ve learned, I’m not getting the outcome that i was expecting. Lord have mercy!
      - Lori
        
        You did the best you could. You were there in the midst of crisis, and you stepped forward to offer help and comfort. That’s all any of us can do, and many of us would not have the courage to step up. No one knows why these terrible things happen.
      - Jamie Finch
        
        Deedee, I feel like everyone there did something to prolong this boys life. I am truly heartbroken, but knowing that we were all there helping and praying for this boy is of some comfort. I remember seeing your tears and holding the hand of another woman whose prayers seem to sustain me. You helped, you made it possible for the parents to have him in some form of life for even a few more days. That is a big deal. Please know that you stepped into a difficult situation and did not turn the other way. You acted with courage and should be proud.
      - Joe Imler
        
        Deedee, I was sitting at the red light when all of this happened and like you its an image I will never forget. Everyone stepped up and did what they could to help this poor boy. And what was truly impressive was how all these people that didn’t know each other 5 minutes before joined together to help him. I don’t know that any body there could have done anything different ,it was truly an heroic effort by those performing CPR. As someone said earlier in this post if you are still having problems sleeping or other issues please seek someone to talk to and help. God bless this boys Friends and Family and all the great citizens that stopped that day and did everything they could.
      - Lori
        
        Deedee, knowing the boy’s mother like I do, I know she would be incredibly grateful for everything you did to try to save her son. She would be so thankful that you were at his side, and that he wasn’t alone. I hope in time she will be able to reach out to you.
      - Chet Grandpre
        
        I knew him, he was my friend since the 7th grade and his name was Sean Logan. It is really hard to think that he is gone.. But he will always be remembered. He is in a better place now. RIP Sean Logan.
      - Guest
        
        You may want to remove his name. I know the family has been trying to keep the name out of the media coverage at this time. They need time to work through this without all the coverage.
      - Heather Coleman
        
        You may want to remove his name. I know that friends and family know, but I am not sure the family is ready for the media to be calling and reaching out. Prayers are with you!
    - TheKingJAK
      
      It doesn’t matter who hit whom, right-of-way is just that. You are either in the right-of-way, or you’re not, end of story (I get what you’re saying about not attributing blame, but if the bike turned on a non-arrow then he’s to blame).
Judy

Late on Sunday afternoon I was traveling on Wiehle heading east and entered the intersection with Reston Pkwy. The light was green so I was moving at speed. Opposite me on Wiehle was a young man on a motorbike in the left turn lane moving very slowly. There were no cars in front of or behind me. All of a sudden he accelerated and started to make the left as if he didn’t see me. I hit the brakes and, luckily for him, I was able to allow him to clear. If I’d had to come to a complete stop to avoid him, I couldn’t have. It’s rare that I see motorbikes at this end of Reston – same intersection, four days apart – it wouldn’t surprise me if it was the same guy.
TheKingJAK

Some family of mine was driving by the area and noticed a stationary helo. I asked if it was circling for police work, and he said no, so I could only assume that it was medevac. That’s a pretty bad accident, but I’ve come across motorbike wrecks before and it always ends with an unconscious rider layed out in the street. I’ve also almost wrecked in that same intersection before when a teenager pulled a vehicle into an oncoming lane of traffic, and I had to slam my brakes but still came within a foot of crashing through their rear bumper. Be careful, people, because no rush is worth your life or even the damage to your vehicle, and it certainly gives you NO right whatsoever to endanger others.
TheKingJAK

I just wanted to add this: Good on those of you who actively provided aid (Whether it was a phone call to 911, CPR, removing hazards, securing the scene, etc.). You did the right thing and I’m proud of y’all. This world is a far better place when we help one another out.
Lori

As a reporter, I have been following this story since Thursday. To my horror, I learned today that the mom is a longtime friend. Her son passed away this morning.
- L….
  
  My thoughts and Strong prayers are with my friend too….. I’m shocked
  and deeply sadden !!! God bless !!!
Guest

I would like to commend each of you that did such an amazing job at the scene. God orchestrated many of you to be there to show this boy the love and care that he needed. To know that people were praying and asking God to save him. From the young lady who called 911, to those who moved the bike, performed CPR, and were there doing whatever could be done. Thank you! Your work and efforts are not to be thought of as wasted. You extended his life and his parents and family had a chance to say goodbye and spend time alone with him.

For those of you who saw the event and can’t get the images out of your head, I would consider seeking help for yourselves. This is not something to take lightly and feeling traumatized and see such a trauma before you is not to be overlooked or rationalized. Each of you saw and did things that you will never forget. Allow a professional to help you process, work through those things, and ensure your health and emotional well being are in a place where you can heal. Healing is needed for you all as well.

As the next days and weeks move ahead, I would ask that you remember the friends, family, teachers/school staff, community members, and those at the accident in prayer. We all will be processing and healing each day. I especially pray for the family who will never be able to truly fill the void that is now there with the loss of their son.
Sgh

I was also at the intersection of Reston Pkwy and Wiehle Ave waiting at the light. I had just picked up my son from preschool. As soon as I saw the flames, I called 911. While on hold for a responder, I saw the boy on the street and the bike under the SUV. Once someone answered, I provided as much information as I could. People were running to the boy to help while some were pacing. I saw someone pull the bike out from under the SUV. They immediately pulled their hand back because it was hot, but continued anyway. I kept trying to tell my son to look away from the accident, but he kept asking if the boy had died. It breaks my heart to hear that this 17 year old passed away. I have a 18 year old son and I can’t imagine the pain these parents must be going through. I hope they hear about everyone that tried to save him. God bless.
Heather Coleman

If anyone was at the scene – especially the nurses, could you please reach out to me. I just spoke with the family this afternoon and they would like to be in touch with you. They are very thankful for your services and for the folks who called 911 and those who were helping with CPR and other efforts. They would like to speak with as many people as possible that were there and saw the actual accident. A lot of questions are still left unanswered for them. Please reach out to me, and I will connect you. Thank You!
- Jamie Finch
  
  I was at the accident and would like to speak with the family, how do I reach you?
BaysideJunior

I went to school with him two years ago. Will be missed.
LaurieTD

Here is more coverage of this awful crash:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/fatal-accident-this-month-in-reston-va-highlights-dangers-of-mini-bikes/2014/05/26/02da1ebc-e113-11e3-8dcc-d6b7fede081a_story.html?hpid=z2

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