The headline from ABC News caught my attention and how could it not? The headline, “Family seeks answers after 13-year-old Florida boy dies in dirt bike crash during attempted traffic stop” appeared four days after Christmas. The tragedy of a young life cut short from a motorcycle accident is painful anytime of year but so soon after Christmas makes it worse. My sincere condolences go out to Stanley “SJ” Davis III‘s family, friends and all Boynton Beach residents.
GETTING ANSWERS
We need to learn from tragic events and hopefully, not see them repeated. If there are lessons to learn from this incident that could save even one life, those lessons should be taught. Unfortunately, stories like this are frustrating because they leave so many questions unanswered.
I have no inside information on what happened on December 29th in Boynton Beach, Florida, so what I layout here is 100% speculative. If someone does have details of the incident, please feel free to contact me ([email protected]). Until then, here are some obvious questions.
Reported: The motorcycle was a recently-purchased Christmas present.
1. Did the dealership (or private party) who sold the motorcycle explain to the Davis family that Florida law requires off-highway vehicle operators to be at least 16 years old?
2. Did the Davis family realize that the motorcycle purchased for SJ is designed and intended for off-highway operation only and is not street legal? Again, didn’t the motorcycle dealership explain this?
3. Was SJ wearing a helmet and protective gear? Answer: Yes. Video footage of SJ at a gas station minutes before his death shows the rider wearing a helmet and gloves. The footage, while very short, appears to indicate that SJ’s riding skills were rough. He shows poor balance when leaving the station (where he is immediately pursued by a police officer).
4. Did SJ get any type of rider education?
5. Did the police pursuit follow department guidelines?
Please don’t accuse me of Monday Morning quarterbacking with these questions. They are pertinent (and painful) questions that should be answered if there is any chance of preventing similar tragedies. I have loved motorcycles for as long as I can remember and understand that they can be dangerous. However, the dangers of riding a motorcycle can be greatly reduced with proper training and guidance. It appears that SJ didn’t get either.
