Jackson Jambalaya

Awful. That’s 3 motorcycle deaths in 2 days where the riders were on cruisers, obeying the law. Meanwhile, the urban crotch rocketeers continue to be a menace on the interstate. Life’s unfair sometimes.

I saw the motorcycles on the back of a tow truck and immediately knew there had to be a fatality. My thoughts and prayers are with the families.

Anyone heard why the pickup truck veered into the east bound lane?

So sorry for all concerned. I understand that medical helicopters were even on the scene. I saw the red truck off the south side of the road and it was blocked for well over an hour. We all knew it was bad and many calls were made to those who use this road daily. Will be curious to know if texting was involved.. The weather was still sunshine when this happened.

Supposedly the driver of the truck dropped his phone and was reaching down to grab it, swerving into on coming traffic. The two gentlemen who died as a result are two of the kindest men you will ever meet.

These crotch rockets are a huge concern... even in Hattiesburg on 49 they were a risk to the other drivers not only themselves. Now I see them all over Lakeland and 55... not sure what you can do about them though. How would you suggest the police or highway patrol catch these people. I was coming from Granada 2 weeks ago and about 6 of them flew by me on 55... one was doing a trick or wheelie as he accelerated... obviously they are idiots. Any ideas?

There is a way to catch them but it involves some time and expense.

What does the term "crotch rockets" refer to? If it's a poke at the cycle riders, then those references are Extremely "out of line". But I'm hoping it refers to the huge bunch of idiots who are keeping their phone in their "crotches' so they "won't miss anything"

Robert Redd, "crotch rocket" refers to the small but very powerful motorcycles that are designed not so much for transportation, but to go really fast and to show off.

Riders are drawn to “crotch rockets” because such “supersports” motorcycles have far more horsepower than other motorcycles, with speeds of up to 190 mph or more. The whole point of buying a “crotch rocket” is to go fast.

“Crotch rocket” motorcycle riders are four times more likely to die in a crash than riders of other motorcycles, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

These gentlemen were riding full-size motorcycles.

The term 'crotch rocket' derives from the visual of riding a rocket or sitting astride a rocket that's positioned in your crotch with normal speeds between 60-90 mph on our highways and interstates. These gentlemen were NOT on crotch-rockets. Crotch rockets are popular primarily (but not totally) among black riders between, oh, 17 and 25 years of age.

And the assumption that the driver of the truck was reaching down to retrieve his cell phone is already an urban legend in short order, totally made up bullshit. We do not yet know why he veered.

RIP Jack Harper

The term "crotch rocket" has nothing to do with mocking the riders. It's a widely used term for sport bikes. Most people who ride them are prone to high speeds and not the most safety conscious riders. When you see YouTube videos of punks riding down the interstate on one wheel, that's a crotch rocket rider.

I know this: You can be the most skilled and careful motorcycle rider on the planet. But, if you get into a wreck by no fault of your own, you are going to lose. It’s pretty difficult to live through your unprotected body coming in contact with a very heavy object at 60-100 mph.

They are called "donor cycles" for a reason, and with distracted drivers texting, etc., the odds of getting hit are even higher.

For those who knew these gentlemen, I am sorry for your loss.

Has the driver of the truck been identified?

People (posters) like 6:22 still have zero clue that this incident did NOT involve youngsters on crotch rockets, yet he babbles on about donor cycles and distracted drivers...knowing nothing of the facts.

He's like everybody's 80 year old uncle who has all the facts and answers and opinions and will readily regurgitate them if you agree to listen to his bullshit.

7:06, he may be an 80 year old for a reason....he stayed off of any kind of motorcycles.

7:06 AM Did you even read the post? It is posted above that the driver of the truck was retrieving his cell phone from the floor. That means DISTRACTED DRIVER!

As a former EMT, we called them "donor cycles" because of the horrific accidents involving motorcycles. That does not mean that the motorcycle drivers are necessarily at fault, but they have limited protection vs. occupants of a car/truck.

Starting to get a little strange that no more info has come out about this.

I recall hearing as a kid (50-plus years ago, when most every boy wanted a "minibike" or Honda Trail), "buy your kid a motorbike for his last birthday..." Whether you call them, donorcycles, murderbikes, crotchrockets, hogs, or economical (or fun) transportation for sensible adult riders, the one thing that they simply cannot be called is "safe." If an adult chooses to ride one and operates it in a safe, legal and sensible manner, he or she still has no ability to control other drivers and other road hazards for which a motorcycle offers no protection. This tragedy may prove to be a sadly perfect example of that. Moreover, the driver of the pickup, even if they made a mistake and was reaching for a phone, almost certainly meant no harm to anyone and is devastated by the accident.

What is the answer? I don't know. What I do know is that cars are required to meet safety and passenger protection standards that border on the ridiculous, yet motorcycles offer no such protections. Adults should be allowed to make such choices for themselves, but I do wonder why anyone would make such a choice in the face of the facts. And I admit, my sympathy is greatly reduced for adults who suffer the predictable consequences of their own choices.

Bobby Lenoir was a really good guy. This is a tragedy. This is also a warning to all of us. If you drop your cell phone, leave it on the floor. A stop light was a quarter mile away from the accident. Pick the cell phone up when your car is safely stopped.

Less than 24 hours earlier at 6:30 pm Friday, Jimmy Langdon, the COO of Ergon was killed on his motorcycle 1/2 mile from his home after colliding with a deer. A super guy. Terrible tragedy. Cycles have no margin for error -yours or theirs or its.

We moved back to MS after many years away and I was surprised at the cell phone use while driving here. They need to be put away folks. Turned off where a ring or text won't tempt us. Stick it in the trunk if it tempts you too bad. No life is worth it. If you have kids/teenagers and use your phone and text or drive using it, they will follow your example.

I'm sick of people calling anyone who rides a crotch rocket an idiot. Believe it or not, they are some of the most talented riders around. Accidents of ALL KINDS happen everyday!! Thoughts & prayers for all involved & their families.

Hey, 7:06!
6:22 PM said nothing of crotch rockets, and is one of the few who offered condolences. No sign pointing to age either. Why that reference? I recognize your misplaced, irrational anger from other posts on this blog. Get some Prozac.

God bless those whose lives were lost and those who knew and loved them.

@12:58

Sorry but almost every one of these "talented riders" I see is breaking the law either by speeding or weaving in and out of traffic. They're a nuisance if they aren't idiots although I personally consider them both.

It was a 22 year guy who dropped his cell phone, and bent over to retrieve it. There were originally 7 riders who had been out together, 3 had just left the group to go home, the driver of the truck got one of the riders with his rearview mirror- that guy is OK. The one not killed has broken bones but should recover ok.

Put the damn phones down and leave them alone.

We need to create a new culture of putting our cell phones away while driving, or manufacturers should have a function to disable phones while driving.

Jack Harper was a kind and loving family man, co-worker, and friend. He enjoyed riding with his friends. He went out with his boots on, doing what he loved to do. .

These men were stalwart citizens who did nothing wrong. I personally hate motorcycles having had a child who also was in a bad accident on one due to mechanical failure, and, praise Jesus, survived. People are so vulnerable on them, just like these great men who are gone too soon. It's a tragedy all around. Prayers for the families until they reunite with their loved ones.

"Did you even read the post? It is posted above that the driver of the truck was retrieving his cell phone from the floor. That means DISTRACTED DRIVER!"

And if you post (or read) something on the internet, there's a rule that it has to be true.

So much misplaced blame on this blog thread. Must have been the riders' fault since some of us hate motorcycles and some people who own them drive too fast.

For reasons hopefully to be determined in the investigation, a vehicle driver crossed into the lane of opposing traffic, resulting in fatalities. Can we hold the 'I hate motorcycles' and 'It's gotta be distracted driving' comments until an official report comes out?

10:08AM wrote: "This is a tragedy." [absolutely] "This is also a warning to all of us. If you drop your cell phone, leave it on the floor. A stop light was a quarter mile away from the accident. Pick the cell phone up when your car is safely stopped."

and 11:46AM wrote: "Jimmy Langdon, the COO of Ergon was killed on his motorcycle 1/2 mile from his home after colliding with a deer. A super guy. Terrible tragedy. [again, absolutely]"

and 12:58PM wrote: crotch-heads "... are some of the most talented riders around. Accidents of ALL KINDS happen everyday!! [yes they do - see above and note that making it worse will not make it better]"

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to get deer to stay in the woods and off the roads (cue smartass responses)? In one case, a human made a mistake that all drivers have made - not paying attention 100% of the time - and in another, a deer did what deer naturally do - walk around. And then we have Captain Crotchrocket...if these riders are so "talented," they need to be on "Dumbasses Got Talent" or "People Do The Stupidest Shit," not on public roads where displays of "talent" are not appropriate and get people hurt or killed.

I still don't have a answer for the overall situation, but I damned sure have one for me: I would not put my life on the line for the "thrill" of wind in my hair...but should I ever feel that need, I'll stand in front of a shop fan and make revving sounds. Laugh if you must, but a guy going "vroom-vroom" in front of a fan in his garage while imagining he is "easy riding" with Joe Namath/C.C. Ryder (but not "Easy Rider" - look what happened to Wyatt and Billy...) is a lot safer than anyone riding a motorcycle on public roads.

As a lifelong motorcyclist, and a good one, I am alarmed and saddened by the displays of abject stupidity I’ve read here. Whether you love or despise motorcycles and their riders, the fact remains that at least two good men are dead because of another’s abject stupidity. I will continue to see this great country from the saddle of either my Harley-Davidson or my BMW and not live like a caged animal. Since 44,000 people a year die on our nation’s highways a lot of you safety-minded folks need to consider walking.

Pro/Con motorcycle debates remind me of Pro/Con debates regarding Pitbull ownership.
Everyone is intensely adamant that they are in the right and uninterested in anything to the contrary.
I think I’ll pass on the hog and the dog, personally.

My condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and please teach your kids (by example) to put the cell phone away.

It hurts my head that this has led to any type of criticism toward motorcycle riding. A truck crossed into oncoming traffic and caused an accident. It could have hit cars, motorcycles, bicycle riders, or pedestrians on the sidewalk/shoulder, with the same outcome. It is extremely unfortunate and my sincere condolences go to those who have lost loved ones, friends, and/or colleagues. As for cell phones in vehicles, it is rampant and deadly. Hell, even the drunks are paying better attention to the road.

I can quit texting anytime I want...I just don't want to quit right now. Texting is the opioid of the Millennials.

7:50am for the win.

Seriously? Am I the only the person that finds it curious that the identity of the driver of the truck continues to be a mystery?

I too wonder just why the truck driver has not been identified. He is not a minor.

Who was the driver already?

Why is Madison PD not releasing the name of the driver? I can only assume an affluent or connected family.

Bryan Devault was the name on the insurance card. Do not know if I'm spelling this correctly. Hope someone can dig into this person more than I can.

Kirby Devault, 22 year old was the driver.