Fatal motorcycle accident halts trains, traffic

By Scott Bartle

February 27, 2013 - 2:33 pm

Fatal motorcycle accident halts trains, traffic

Around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday a motorcyclist traveling southbound on State Route 347 was killed when he apparently struck a descending barricade arm. Maricopa Police spokesman Ricardo Alvarado said the male rider apparently tried to beat the train and slid across the tracks before striking the backside of the barricade south of the tracks.

The motocyclist was identified as 71-year-old Maricopa resident Timothy Schickedanz.

Lou Piccadaci witnessed the accident from the north side of the tracks.

“The barriers were coming down on the train, the guy skidded,” said Piccadaci. “He saw them too late, lost control from the skid, hit the barrier … it’s all over.”

According to Piccadaci and Maricopa Police, the victim was not struck by the train.

“The train came by five seconds later,” Piccadaci said. “This could’ve been even a little worse; I don’t know how it could get any worse.”

“That train wasn’t able to stop; had to wait until the train went by to see what happened,” said the witness, who was on the north side of the tracks. “There was blood everywhere. It’s one thing to see it after, but to see it happen … definitely something I won’t forget."

Piccadaci said the victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, and he questioned whether the motorcyclist had time to react.

“The train arms were coming down. The lights start flashing, then the train. I don’t think he had that much of a warning before those arms started coming down. Usually the arms come down and about a minute later then the train’s coming, but the train came awful quick.”

“Trains are stopped and traffic is restricted,” said Maricopa Fire Chief Wade Brannon. Porter Road, which is two miles east of SR 347, is the suggested alternate north-south route across the railroad tracks.

MPD’s Alvarado said the investigation will take at least another hour or two and suggests avoiding the area. “Patience is what we’re asking.”

Please explain to me why, in a State where "Freedom of Choice" to wear a motorcycle helmet is LAW, news reporters/newscasters HAVE to make a statement that "the rider was or was not "wearing a helmet". At the impact of a crash, more than 15mph, a motorcycle rider will not benefit from that helmet as a source of "safety". Many more motorcyclist's lives will be saved by education, training, and awareness of the riders AND especially the general public driving while doing 100 things in their cars!

Kat, I'm not sure where you get your information, but it must be from another PLANET: 'At the impact of a crash, more than 15mph, a motorcycle rider will not benefit from that helmet as a source of "safety"' - Really?? That's about as backwards from the facts as you can possibly get! Just because you obviously choose not to wear a helmet, don't try to discourage normal, sane people from doing so by twisting the actual crash test data.

I think the writer was making a point by the "was wearing a helmet" comment. In this particular case, the general public wasn't involved. When you try to beat the train sometimes things go wrong. I agree that education and awareness should be key, but more for the rider than the general public. The rider is the one not seen, the one that rides the white line, and the one on 347 every morning going north at 100 plus mph. Riders assume that drivers see them, more times than not they don't

relentless - I have to agree with you. The general public may be idiots, but in this case it had nothing to do with it. Even when cars are involved it's not their sole responsibility to avoid collisions with motorcycles - it's both parties, and definitely more so on the rider. The train crossing lights start flashing WAY before the barricades drop, so like you say: "When you try to beat the train sometimes things go wrong". The moral of the story: EVERYONE needs to pay attention!

The problem I have with what happened today and happens more then we like to think is, this rider could have avoided this and didn't. Now he's gone, and the people that were there and witnessed it will be scarred for a long time. Honestly I am absolutely shocked at his age. When I heard about it I thought for sure it was a young gun blowing the tracks. But no matter what, his decision left loved ones mourning.

Exactly - well stated relentless!

Oldfatguy: Having both a motorcycle and car, my perspective is that training, awareness, and education to both riders and drivers will save MORE LIVES then the idea that a helmet will "save your life". It is a false sense of security making a statement that it will. Can a helmet minimize head trauma and injuries in a crash. Sometimes. Not as much as most people think. Riding and seeing drivers do 2, 3 and 4 things along with driving REALLY needs to stop!!! Distracted Driving KILLS People!

More importantly, we all need to respect and accept our own responsibility to ride and/or drive responsibly. Are there crazy riders our there being stupid? Sure. Are there drivers out there not paying attention and being stupid? Sure. Both groups need to take responsibility to drive/ride with caution and be aware of everyone on the road. It really amazes me when discussions ensue and motorcyclists are talked about with distain and apathy. As if riding a motorcycle makes that person less than.

This is incredibly sad.... My thoughts and prayers go out to the drivers friends and family. Does anyone know if he was a Maricopa resident? Are they going to release his name? Accordinng to the person who witnessed the accident, it sounds like the sensors didnt trigger when they should have? I hope this is going to be investigated beause I have to cross those tracks multiple times a day. I would never try to" beat the train," but what if it broke completely and never tripped the arms? (cont..)

and I know I should always be aware and look and listen when it comes to crossing the tracks.... I guess just having a piece of mind, knowing that the sensors are all in working condition would be.... nice... and again, my thoughts and prays go out for the driver and his family/friends. I hope they are able to find peace in this horrible situation.

Waiting for a train to go by in Maricopa is a long time isn't it? Build an overpass.

It was only a matter of time. It's sad that someone had to die to bring more attention to the city's need for a under or over pass at this location. maybe someone above our local government will now pay attention.