The Cotton Ball claims another

Trip · 07-07-2009, 10:53 PM

http://www.wate.com/global/story.asp?s=10657935

Quote:

TALLASSEE (WATE) -- State troopers are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash Tuesday afternoon on the Blount County stretch of Highway 129 known as "The Tail of the Dragon."

A Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesperson says just before 1:30pm 49-year-old Tamara Fuller of Austin, Texas was riding a 2008 Harley Davidson Sportster southbound on Highway 129.

The trooper said Fuller was coming out of a right hand turn and going into a left hand turn when she lost control. Fuller crossed over the center line and into the northbound lane and went into a ditch. The trooper said Fuller drove out of the ditch across both lanes and went down a steep embankment on the other side of the road.

He said rescuers had to use ropes to reach her. They rushed Fuller to Blount County Memorial Hospital, but it was too late.

The Dragon has 318 curves in 11 miles and is a popular draw for motorcyclists from around the world. But Tuesday's crash is the second fatality there in less than a month.

It was also the scene of a fatal motorcycle crash on June 27 that claimed the life of a Miami, Florida man.

Riders who spoke with 6 News after that crash said it's the thrill of The Dragon that drives their attraction.

"If it was named the cotton ball, I wouldn't be as attracted to come ride it," motorcyclist Adam Powell said.

Been too many deaths up there this year, but I am totally calling it the cotton ball from now on.

RIP rider.

Ninjakel · 07-07-2009, 10:54 PM

Damn. RIP

tached1000rr · 07-07-2009, 10:59 PM

ouch,RIP

unknownroad · 07-08-2009, 12:02 PM

That's a shame.

Oddly enough, I think if it were called the cotton ball i'd actually make another trip up there, and hopefully buy a cotton ball sticker for the SV.

the chi · 07-08-2009, 12:03 PM

Dang, that is a bit much for fatalities...RIP

CrazyKell · 07-08-2009, 12:17 PM

Wow sorry to hear that.

Only one fatality in the region when I was there in May (which is a sad and weird sentence to say).

Heading back in October again.

z06boy · 07-08-2009, 01:35 PM

That sucks. There was a girl killed the other week near here on a group run. She ran off the road and didn't survive. Her husband was on the same ride and saw her die. They have two small kids.

Particle Man · 07-08-2009, 03:22 PM

that's too bad

... and people would still ride it even with a name like the "Cotton Ball"

tommymac · 07-08-2009, 03:25 PM

have there been a lot of fatalities the last few years? All it means is the cops will crack down more and will be more outcry to do something about the road. Even though it brings in a lot of tourist dollars to an otherwise rural type area.

Tom

Trip · 07-08-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommymac

have there been a lot of fatalities the last few years? All it means is the cops will crack down more and will be more outcry to do something about the road. Even though it brings in a lot of tourist dollars to an otherwise rural type area.

Tom

Actually most of the fatalities up there have happened during crackdown times when there was a ton of them up there. Only usually about 2-3 a year. Which is considerably less than a much smaller section of US129 that runs by the airport in Knoxville that sees a lot more deaths per year and is much more dangerous due to traffic, but they don't want to look at that.

07-07-2009, 10:54 PM	#2
Ninjakel Post whorette Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Florida Moto: 2006 GSXR 600- Posts: 3,992	Damn. RIP __________________ I'm gonna punch you in the ovary, that's what I'm gonna do. A straight shot. Right to the babymaker. --Ron Burgundy-- Anchorman

07-08-2009, 12:02 PM	#4
unknownroad Guys... where are we? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Carolina Moto: SV650 Interstate, CX500 rat-bobber, whatever else runs. Posts: 784	That's a shame. Oddly enough, I think if it were called the cotton ball i'd actually make another trip up there, and hopefully buy a cotton ball sticker for the SV. __________________ Considering Verizon Business service? Perhaps you'd like to consider a nice drain cleaner enema instead?

07-08-2009, 03:22 PM	#8
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	that's too bad ... and people would still ride it even with a name like the "Cotton Ball" __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

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07-07-2009, 10:59 PM	#3
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	ouch,RIP

07-08-2009, 12:17 PM	#6
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	Wow sorry to hear that. Only one fatality in the region when I was there in May (which is a sad and weird sentence to say). Heading back in October again.

07-08-2009, 01:35 PM	#7
z06boy Letzroll Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lake Norman area, NC Moto: 07 Red R1 & 07 Blue R6 Posts: 5,265	That sucks. There was a girl killed the other week near here on a group run. She ran off the road and didn't survive. Her husband was on the same ride and saw her die. They have two small kids.

07-08-2009, 03:25 PM	#9
tommymac Moto GP Star Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,022	have there been a lot of fatalities the last few years? All it means is the cops will crack down more and will be more outcry to do something about the road. Even though it brings in a lot of tourist dollars to an otherwise rural type area. Tom