Dramatic Video Shows Motorcyclist Wreck @ The Dalles

THE DALLES, Ore. -- Oregon State Police today released dashcam video footage showing a June 18 crash of a motorcycle and its rider as he tumbled over and over on the shoulder past a stopped OSP vehicle. The rider survived but was cited and pleaded guilty to careless driving.

The in-car video caught the sliding motorcycle and rolling operator as both passed the trooper's stopped patrol car along Interstate 84 in The Dalles. The OSP vehicle's radar clocked the motorcycle at about 85 mph prior to the crash.

OSP Senior Trooper Michael Holloran was sitting in his stopped OSP patrol car at 7:18 AM on the right eastbound shoulder of Interstate 84 near milepost 85 writing information in his notebook.  With the patrol car's radar unit on, Holloran heard an approaching fast vehicle and began to look in the side mirror when he saw a motorcycle lose control. The motorcycle dropped onto its side and the operator went down onto the pavement as the radar unit obtained a speed of 85 mph.

The sliding motorcycle and rolling operator both went past the stationary patrol car and surprised the trooper. Shortly after the motorcycle's operator, Kenneth Carl Theiman Jr., 31, from Dallesport, Wash., stopped rolling, Holloran got out of the patrol car and ran up to help Theiman as he was picking himself up off the pavement.

Theiman told Holloran that he was surprised how quickly things happened when he lost control of the motorcycle. Theiman thought his speed was about 85 mph when he lost control.

Theiman was transported by ambulance to Mid-Columbia Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, mostly abrasions. He was wearing a protective helmet.

Holloran cited Theiman for Careless Driving and he pleaded guilty in Wasco County Circuit Court.

OSP released the video as a dramatic display of why it is so important to drive at the posted speed limits, to be aware of your surroundings and not be distracted.

"It only takes a second for something to happen that you may have to react to while keeping your vehicle under control," said OSP The Dalles Area Command Sgt. Pat Shortt.