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Accident Critically Injures Motorcyclist Save Email Print
Bike clips turning SUV, rider thrown
Posted: 4:24 PM Oct 4, 2008
 Last Updated: 3:47 PM Oct 5, 2008
 Reporter: Jodi Baker
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
34 comments
A | A | A

A Valley man remains hospitalized in criitcal condition after his motorcycle clipped the back bumper of a turning SUV in northwest Douglas County Saturday afternoon.

Fifty-six-year-old Clifford Karr was leading a group of motorcyclists around 2:30 p.m. at 204th and Sheffield Street between Ida and State when he hit the SUV.

He was thrown from the motorcycle, landing in the ditch. Karr was wearing a helmet and is expected to survive. No one else was injured.
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Posted by: the Marlboro Man on Oct 11, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Hi all, this is the human being on the Harley, which is american made and has great brakes and is also factory serviced. I wish I could tell you what happened that Saturday, but I cannot, but I will tell you it was not the SUV's fault, whichs places the blame with me. From what I have been told by riders behind me, the owners of the SUV are perhaps some of the nicest people I have ever spoke to. They did not blame me, they stepped up and only thought of me and my pain and stayed with me till the EMT's took me away. GOD BLESS THEM AND THEIR KINDNESS. These people thought only of the human suffering and not of possessions. I have read all the responses to this accident and I would just like to thank the troops past and present who have fought so hard for our opinions, right and wrong. GOD BLESS AND STAY SAFE EVERYONE!!!!
Posted by: LIVING LIFE on Oct 7, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Car drivers need to drive and not do there texting and answering of emails and that would truly make the roads safer for ALL of us..
Posted by: Living Life & Loving It on Oct 7, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Way to go Wildcat!!!! There is also those car drivers that are texting and answering emails that really have me worried. I have riden with Cliff for well over 8000 miles and I can tell you he has ALWAYS looked out for the safety of the riders he's riding with and actually saved me on a very long ride accross Nebraska and for those moments in my riding life I'M GREATLY appreciated him for those times in my life when I can truly say it is and always will be a pleasure riding behind, Beside or in front of him. I too have a gas hog and wish i could ride my ride more but with some of the 4 wheel vehicle owners like the one here this is why I choose to do my riding outside of the city because they could care a less for man kind. AMEN for everyone that knows and cares about who they share the road with
Posted by: Wildcat on Oct 7, 2008 at 11:39 AM
To ???: Anyone stopped at a stop sign obstructed or not, in a car or motorcycle is responsible for making sure the path is clear before pulling out. If not, then yea they deserve to lose their DL whether they hit a car or a motorcycle. Everyone on the road just needs to drive more defensively whether you are on a motorcycle or in a car. And the motorcyclist was paying attention. Checking in your rearview mirrors does not mean you were not paying attention. Last time I read the DMV's manual you are suppose to check your rearview mirrors often. Motorcyclist's pay more attention cause we can't be eating, talking on cell phones, etc. like people in cars do. I see no one ever says anything if it's 2 cars in an accident only when there's a motorcycle involved. Why are you people so against motorcycles? You must be jealous cause we are out living our lives. So you stick with your gas guzzler and your boring life.
Posted by: Joe Dillon Brothers Harley Davidson on Oct 6, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Our toughts and prayers are with Cliff and his family.I would like to add that Cliff is a very cautious rider.He has been riding for alot of years with no accidents.That is exactly what this was!
Posted by: ??? on Oct 6, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Why is it when the obvious fault of this "accident" is a motorcycle who was not paying attention the HOGS all say it was just an "Accident". But when an SUV pulls out from an obstructed stop sign in front of a motorcyle they all say she needs to loose her DL. Sounds to me like a double standard. Oh and Tailgunner, i have an iteresting stat for you SUV=2 bikes=0. I will stick with my gas guzzler and my life. My life is worth an extra $40 per month.
Posted by: Scrappy on Oct 6, 2008 at 02:09 PM
To Jake & Charlie: It's so nice to know that there are people in this city who value the lives of others - NOT! If you think it's only the bikers who are reckless try riding with me on the interstate at 7:00 in the orning when most of the IDIOTS are the men in the SUV's who think they own the road. They have absolutely no considereation for other drivers much less bikers. I'ved always heard how rude CA drivers are but I bet they don't hold a candle to those here in our fair state!
Posted by: Deb on Oct 6, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I've ridden off and on for many years, again I say ridden, as behind the driver, and never had an accident until moving to Omaha. I've been involved in 2 accidents in two months. I've vowed never to ride again. Neither accident was our fault. I'm convinced the drivers of vehicles in Omaha are plain ignorant and inexperienced when it comes to motorcyclists. My prayers to Mr. Karr and his family.
Posted by: Jake on Oct 6, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Congratulations, Charlie. You get the "tough guy" award for the week. You sure showed him!
Posted by: To Charlie on Oct 6, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Nice to know you feel the need to put another person's life in danger so you can prove...well, I'm not sure what you're trying to prove. You are one tough dude though, being able to swerve at a motorcyclist with a car and all.
Posted by: Tailgunner on Oct 6, 2008 at 08:30 AM
To PERCY: 60-6308 - Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic; prohibited acts. Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. Riding side by side IS LEGAL in Nebraska To Cliff: Get well soon! To the Motorcycle Ignorant. Yes some bikes speed and drive reckless. 98% of the time they are sport bikes. 98% of the cruiser riders actually use there brains and dont drive erratically especially in groups. Bikes are fun, there is no point in living if your afraid to live. Bikes get 45-60 MPG compared to a car 20-25 or SUV 13-19. YOU do the MATH.
Posted by: justdeb on Oct 5, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Why would anybody want to teach somebody on a motorcycle a lesson while they're in a car. It doesn't matter if you're in a car or on a bike, there are fools in/on both. As a motorcyclist, and a group rider, we continually run into issues with individuals in cars wanting to beat us off the line, beat us off a 2 lane exit ramp, squeeze in between a group of motorcycles, etc. Why would anybody on 4 wheels want to try and teach somebody on 2 wheels a lesson? As a motorcycle rider & enthusiast, most of us belong to chapters and walk the talk when it comes to safety and Cliff Karr belongs to that group. We provide training, refresher courses, 1st Aid training, etc. to our riders. We understand the risks & the needs of keeping our riders safe out on the roads. In group rides we have leaders, road captains we call them, that lead & sweep the rides. Cliff is one of those leaders. It takes a second for an accident to occur & as stated by those that know & love him - it was an accident.
Posted by: Anna on Oct 5, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Hey Todd, the manufacturer of the bike had nothing to do with it... I'm sure his brakes worked just fine, you seem uneducated and narrow minded. Accidents happen even to the most experienced riders and safest. To Wildcat: I hope and pray that your brother has a speedy and full recovery! God Bless!
Posted by: Kitten on Oct 5, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Wildcat, may your brother recover fully so he can ride again. Ignore the accusatory idjits who have commented; thoughts and prayers from many people ride along with you and your family.
Posted by: Wildcat on Oct 5, 2008 at 09:11 PM
To Percy: You obviously don't know the joys of motorcycle riding. Riding along side of another rider means riding "the legal way" staggered in a group. Jeez!
Posted by: Wildcat on Oct 5, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Some of you want to place blame on someone you don't even know when you don't even know all the facts. The motorcycle was "not" following too close. The motorcyclist came up over the crest of the hill, saw the SUV starting to turn, checked in his rear view mirror to check on the group of bikers following him and by the time he glanced back (just seconds) he saw the SUV had changed his mind and didn't turn and he took the necessary steps to avoid a more serious accident that may have involved more of the riders behind him. My brother is a safe rider, he does not tail gate, ride crazy or swerve around vehicles trying to turn. Accidents can and do happen even to the best drivers. It was not the SUV's fault or the motorcyclist's fault. That's why it's called an accident. I thank the one's who have defended my brother. This could happen to anyone. How would you like strangers saying these things about you or your family in a situation like this.
Posted by: Jay on Oct 5, 2008 at 08:11 PM
Regardless of what SUV or motorcycle haters think, the comments by acquaintances saying what an accomplished and safe rider Mr. Karr was, should illustrate that accidents can happen to the best of us. If this same incident happened between two cars the chance of serious injury would have been much less. Last time I checked, SUV's AND motorcycles were both legal to drive in our great country. As well as those tiny, underpowered economy cars I always see zipping about. How about a little tolerance, people? And while you are at it, be careful out there. We need to take care of each other since the government needs our tax dollars to bail out those banking firms that drove us into this recession.
Posted by: Percy on Oct 5, 2008 at 08:06 PM
To Wolf: You have ridden along side of this man? I thought that was illegal to ride that way.
Posted by: Scrappy on Oct 5, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I realize that many people who ride motorcycles are given to speed and unsafe driving and unfortunately they give the rest of us a bad name. I have many bad experiences with these individuals but please realize that these jokers are NOT the majority of the cyclists. This man was doing exactly what he should have done in watching out for the "inexperienced" riders he was leading. We all know that every time we get on our bikes we take a chance. It was an ACCIDENT. It can happen to any of us regardless of being on a bike or in a car. This man is one of the safest riders I know. I take great pride in counting him and his wife as friends. I'm truly sorry for all of those people who don't understand the joy of riding a motorcycle and who seem to think they can lay the blame on those of us who do. I know that the majority of riders in our group are more cautious on their bikes than most other drivers are in their cars. Don't condemn all bikers for a small group.
Posted by: Charlie on Oct 5, 2008 at 03:35 PM
I am not saying who is at fault but there are to many times when people on bikes try to edge their way around other people on the road. According to the story, it sounds like this is just a freak accident. Hope everyone is ok. Now for my story. I had some punk on a bike try to squeeze in between me and an Escalade one day when we were right next to each other. I swerved over at the little #$%^ and made it impossible for him to squeeze through. I bet he is going to think twice before doing that again.
Posted by: Todd on Oct 5, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Maybe if his bike was built by a quality manufacturer his brakes would have been able to stop or slow him better?
Posted by: B on Oct 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
He clipped the BACK bumper of the SUV, which means he was following the car and could not stop in time when the SUV slowed down to turn. If he were in a car, he would have rear-ended the SUV. So yes, it sounds as though it was the motorcycle's fault. Regardless of whose fault it was, I hope that Mr. Karr survives and will be praying for him and his loved ones.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 5, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I dislike SUVs, but for once this doesn't seem like the SUVs fault.
Posted by: m a on Oct 5, 2008 at 08:33 AM
get well!its a reminder to not tailgate teka your time and drive safe.
Posted by: Here on Oct 5, 2008 at 07:34 AM
I know this man and my husband and I have rode with him. He is one of the safest motorcyclist on the road. He is loved and respected. Big tank and tiny tank hope for your speedy recovery.
Posted by: betty on Oct 5, 2008 at 05:37 AM
i love how we live in such a stereotypical city. its always someone's fault based on your beliefs....without knowing much (if any) of the details.
Posted by: ME on Oct 5, 2008 at 05:03 AM
I used to drive a 73 VW Super Beetle 3 speed and was hit in the rear by a motorcyclist who was NOT paying attention to traffic conditions and was thrown over the top of the car into the front! Now how would that be my fault? I watch ever so closely for motorcyclists. But I see so many weaving in and out of traffic, not watching for turning vehicles and going way too fast for road conditions. I drive a minivan now because I'm a mom and I wouldn't drive anything else. My kids stuff wouldn't fit into a smaller vehicle.
Posted by: Wolf on Oct 5, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Accidents do happen. I've rode many miles along side of this man. He is as safe as they come! He spends most of his free time fund raising and helping others! I wish him a speedy recovery!
Posted by: ANON on Oct 5, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Seems to me the SUV turned in front of the motorcycle. I could be mistaken.
Posted by: Pull your head out on Oct 4, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Once again it's always the car or SUV's fault no matter what the evidence shows according to the angels on 2 wheels. As far as I'm concerned the motorcyclists should never get hurt because they're head is always protected. It's always firmly planted up their you know what.
Posted by: James on Oct 4, 2008 at 10:45 PM
It would be much safer for all involved if we removed all vehicles from the road so that the motorcycles have more room. Then, they can weave in and out of each other, do their wheelies, speed, etc... If this guy would have not been a fool and made his legal turn in his SUV, this would have not occurred.
Posted by: hey Anonymous on Oct 4, 2008 at 09:33 PM
if it was a smaller vehicle he wouldn't have hit it! Silly.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 4, 2008 at 07:21 PM
"see" the motorcycle was the one who clipped him so how is it the SUV's fault? use your brain...
Posted by: See on Oct 4, 2008 at 06:40 PM
SUV's are dangerous. Too big for their drivers to negotiate. Get smaller vehicles!
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