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Shenandoah Daily Press
PA Woman killed in motorcycle crash I-81
WOODSTOCK — A Pennsylvania woman was killed Tuesday evening when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger was struck by a car, state Trooper D.A. Dean said.
At about 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, a 1990 Toyota Camry, driven by Wesley A. Newman, of Bridgewater, was traveling in the right lane of Interstate 81 south behind a 1996 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by Ralph N. Waltman, of Columbia, Pa., Dean said. Waltman's wife, Tracy, was also on the motorcycle, he said.
Newman, 24, moved to the left lane when he saw that the motorcycle was "having some difficulty," Dean said. Waltman was looking for his exit, he said.
The motorcycle then cut into the left lane and was struck by the car near I-81 mile marker 282, he said.
Both Waltman, 50, and his wife, 49, were thrown from the motorcycle, Dean said, and Mrs. Waltman was pronounced dead at the scene. Waltman was flown to Winchester Medical Center, Dean said, and his injuries were not life-threatening. She was wearing a helmet, police said.
When asked whether charges had been filed, Dean said the incident was still under investigation, but that excessive speed and alcohol were not factors. Both vehicles appeared to be destroyed, he said.
Traffic was "backed way up" as police handled the incident, he said, and I-81 north was shut down at one point so the helicopter could land in the median. On Wednesday, a Shenandoah County dispatcher said fire and rescue personnel from Shenandoah County, Woodstock, Edinburg and Mt. Jackson responded to the scene.
Daily Staff Report
I talked briefly with Ralph from his hospital room, he was still sedated and difficult to understand, but managed to get a few words out. He thought he hit some speed bump or pothole that caused the bike to jump.
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Sally and I rode with Ralph and Tracy over many miles, in many parts of this country and Canada. You can see our ride report for this summer's 4,000 mile trek in the Ride Report forum.
Tracy was one of those patience-of-a-saint people. You know, never a bad word about anything or anybody, went with the flow, and had good ideas in challenging situations. While she was quiet most of the time, she did manage to get her point across when it was needed. She had a great sense of humor and loved her riding buddies, her husband, her children and adored her grandchildren (the "grandbabies"). On every long trip or rally, she shopped for special gifts for the grandkids and often carried these souvenirs in a backpack home to them.
Ralph and Tracy were looking foward to their first trip to the Vintage Rally and were traveling to join many close friends when the tragedy struck them and all of us who knew them.
Sally and I will miss a wonderful travelling companion and a dear friend. Tracy, please put a good word or two in to the Big Guy upstairs. We will meet you at the end of the ride.
PA Woman killed in motorcycle crash I-81
WOODSTOCK — A Pennsylvania woman was killed Tuesday evening when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger was struck by a car, state Trooper D.A. Dean said.
At about 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, a 1990 Toyota Camry, driven by Wesley A. Newman, of Bridgewater, was traveling in the right lane of Interstate 81 south behind a 1996 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by Ralph N. Waltman, of Columbia, Pa., Dean said. Waltman's wife, Tracy, was also on the motorcycle, he said.
Newman, 24, moved to the left lane when he saw that the motorcycle was "having some difficulty," Dean said. Waltman was looking for his exit, he said.
The motorcycle then cut into the left lane and was struck by the car near I-81 mile marker 282, he said.
Both Waltman, 50, and his wife, 49, were thrown from the motorcycle, Dean said, and Mrs. Waltman was pronounced dead at the scene. Waltman was flown to Winchester Medical Center, Dean said, and his injuries were not life-threatening. She was wearing a helmet, police said.
When asked whether charges had been filed, Dean said the incident was still under investigation, but that excessive speed and alcohol were not factors. Both vehicles appeared to be destroyed, he said.
Traffic was "backed way up" as police handled the incident, he said, and I-81 north was shut down at one point so the helicopter could land in the median. On Wednesday, a Shenandoah County dispatcher said fire and rescue personnel from Shenandoah County, Woodstock, Edinburg and Mt. Jackson responded to the scene.
Daily Staff Report
I talked briefly with Ralph from his hospital room, he was still sedated and difficult to understand, but managed to get a few words out. He thought he hit some speed bump or pothole that caused the bike to jump.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sally and I rode with Ralph and Tracy over many miles, in many parts of this country and Canada. You can see our ride report for this summer's 4,000 mile trek in the Ride Report forum.
Tracy was one of those patience-of-a-saint people. You know, never a bad word about anything or anybody, went with the flow, and had good ideas in challenging situations. While she was quiet most of the time, she did manage to get her point across when it was needed. She had a great sense of humor and loved her riding buddies, her husband, her children and adored her grandchildren (the "grandbabies"). On every long trip or rally, she shopped for special gifts for the grandkids and often carried these souvenirs in a backpack home to them.
Ralph and Tracy were looking foward to their first trip to the Vintage Rally and were traveling to join many close friends when the tragedy struck them and all of us who knew them.
Sally and I will miss a wonderful travelling companion and a dear friend. Tracy, please put a good word or two in to the Big Guy upstairs. We will meet you at the end of the ride.
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