canada: bike owner charged after loaning out bike

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http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/2009.../11546411.html

News
Man charged over lending motorcycle to friend in fatal crash
By TONY BLAIS, COURT BUREAU


Police investigate a fatal July 9 motorcycle crash that killed Joseph Stelter. (KEN ARMSTRONG/Sun file) An Edmonton man has been charged under the Traffic Safety Act after he lent his motorcycle to a friend who died after crashing into cars in a parking lot.

Graham William Turner, 21, appeared in court Monday facing two counts of failing to properly supervise a motorcycle driven by someone with the wrong class of licence.

Turner is slated to be back in court on Dec. 7.

He was charged as a result of Joseph Stelter, 23, dying after the motorcycle he was riding smashed into parked cars in a parking lot on July 9 about 8 p.m.

Police said Stelter lost control of the borrowed motorcycle and collided with the parked cars in a parking lot of a condo complex at 7335 South Terwillegar Dr.

City police traffic section Sgt. Jerry Sobchyshyn said at the time that speed and lack of experience were factors, noting the rider peeled down a lane in the parking lot fast enough to leave a long skid mark, but he couldn’t stop.

Witnesses said the bike slid on its side as it smashed into the rear of a parked car at the end of the lane and Stelter was left wedged under the car. Bystanders had to lift the car off of Stelter.

He was transported to hospital by Stars air ambulance and pronounced dead the following day. The cause of death was blunt cranial trauma.

At the time, city police traffic section Sgt. Gary Lamont also said it appeared driver inexperience was a factor.

“Experience is crucial for the safe operation of any motor vehicle, but motorcyclists are far more vulnerable to serious injury when something goes wrong,” said Lamont.

tony.blais@sunmedia.ca