Re-Introduction (Ghost returns)

Hello everyone. I trust all are well and enjoying your summers.

My names Craig, I go by Ghost. I’ve been a registered member with VFRWorld.com since 2005. I am a family man. Engineer by trade. Mechanical plastic polymer expert with more than 20 years experience in my career thus far.

I don’t claim to know everything, yet I don’t mind sharing what Ive learned. The community here at VFRWorld is a strong one. Heck, show me a group of bikers, and I’ll show you helpful, compassionate people.

Few random thoughts about Ghost…

I play a well know internet MMO video game. (addicted)
I have 4 kids. All boys. One is new. 
I take it personally when I offend people when its totally unintentional.
I’m a helper.
I love rebuilding bikes, and working with my hands. Ive rebuilt ATV’s and near a few cars / vans / trucks in my years thus far.

..and

I was recently on the receiving end of a Highway hit and run incident, which turned me off bikes for about a year. I *just* started riding again a month ago. Been on it 4 times so far.

Want some details?

I disclosed all to the officer, so theres nothing to hide here.
One week after my new son was born (to the day), I was traveling on a major highway (commute from work), headed home ~ 5:00pm. I was in the fast lane, as are 3 other cars in front of me. A couple cars are in the slow lane, being passed slowly. I see in my mirrors, cars behind me moving over into the slow lane… ~ 100 yards behind me.

Then I see headlights and a vehicle roaring down after.

Just as I was about to slow and get over, the guy in front of me, cuts off the car in the slow lane, forcing that car to brake hard, and is now slightly behind me. Long story short, this happens another time, and I’m left in a situation where “speedy” is immediately behind me, and there are 4 cars ~ 1 car length between each, to the right of me in the slow lane.

.. I speed up to get out of the way. Im now doing 12 MPH over the posted limit.

“Speedy” behind me, is unsatisfied. He begins to slow… then speed up, as if going to ram me or push me. He does this 4 times, and on the fourth run at me, makes contact with my back tire.

(Now, if any of you have seen this, or experienced it, or can understand the mechanics behind seeing a tire spinning ~ 72 MPH, suddenly stopping, then starting again… heres what happens)

My back tire locked up, as it went under the front bumper of “speedy”s vehicle, just for a millisecond, however it was enough to put my bike in a head wobble. Fortunately, I saw the hit coming, and pulled in the clutch. Chain not broken.

“Speedy” backed off a couple feet, as I worked hard to regain control of the bike. I did. (obviously cause Im still alive).

I downshifted, pulled away, and got over. As “Speedy” passed me, both he and his passenger, (Wife I believe), BOTH, give me the finger. I composed myself, and as I was about to pull over to the side, thought of my new son, and my newly driving son… “hell no, this motherf*cker is not going to just get away with this…”

I got out my cell phone, from the tank pack, and chased him down. (My sister, and two brother-n-laws are in law enforcement.. so I know what to do)



^Picture of the license plate.



^Picture of the person driving the vehicle.


So, I get home, call the police, report a hit n run, and he comes to meet me at the highway gas station.




The result.. I pressed charges for Felony hit and run. The DA went for “Leaving the scene of an accident”, “excessive speeding”, “reckless endangerment to the public”, “1st degree assault with a deadly weapon”. 2 Felonies, and 3 misdemeanors.

The local pd, contacted the local of where the douchebag lived, went to his place, noted the black tire marks on his front license plate cover, and confronted the suspect at his home… he said

When later questioned about making contact with me, he said

He was arrested. Signed a confession. And is still currently in jail in Raleigh NC. $250K bond… not posted. He stands to go to prison for 7 years, if convicted.

The local officer calls me every so often to keep me informed. But said there is sufficient evidence provided the DA doesn’t need me anymore. I’ll likely not hear back now.


So that’s Ghost, and my return. My wife reminded me when I was about to sell the bike, that someday I may regret it. Im glad I didn’t. Slowly regaining some confidence back to ride again, but when a motorist gets close to me from behind, I am still a bit nervous.

Btw, I am not ashamed to say.. I peed my pants a little. (I don’t have those pants anymore either)

 

Good to see you back on the Forum Ghost, thanks for sharing your story I am glad you are safe to come home with your boys. That driver deserve to be lock up period, driver like him need to be lock up and keep him away from the streets. Take care of yourself and the four boys.

 

Thats a far out fuking story MATE! I feel like sometimes I am a :bug: about to be splattered on someones windshield, glad your ok and the constabulatory did something, I have a feeling if that happened in south FL, they woulda just dismissed it and not pursued shate. Thats just the opinion I get from my 3 decades of experience with them.

Gota ride to live and live to ride yah know...

 

As a newer member here let me say that I've stumbled across several of your posts.
Glad you are back and ok. Glad they actually were able to prosecute that guy.

 

Welcome back Ghost!!! I too am back from missing in action for a long time. Glad that got that ahole!! Pity that he is a veteran it still doesnt give him the right to be a douche bag. Maybe he is getting rear ended now so lets see how he likes it. Ride safe man glad your back on the horse.

 

Thanks All.

Yeah, I actually didn't want to press charges at first.

I was concerned that this man was the kind of man that would seek me out for revenge. But after talking to my wife more about it, I decided, if I let this guy go, and he does it again, perhaps killing someone... AND since my oldest boy is driving now, there could be more like him after my own son... I couldn't let that happen.

The photo is the original. The officer was able to enhance it a lot and you can see the drivers face VERY clearly. I emailed it to him right then and there from my phone to his car laptop. He adjusted it, pull up the DL photo, and compared. It was a silver platter. That's why the DA didn't need me.

Im glad to be home, safe, and I dont want to let this experience get me down. So I'm resigned to not give up, and get back on the bike.

I really do think all car drivers should have to drive a bike for at least a year and experience how stupid 4 wheel drivers really are.

 

All I can say is WOW! Did he think that bumping a vehicle in front of him, let a alone a motorcycle, was his right too? We all get impatient but that is going well beyond any acceptable behavior. Kudos to you on your response to this, it definitely could have ended up with one or more fatalities! I can appreciate this person's service to our country and believe that a lot of veterans do not get the respect they deserve, especially Vietnam Veterans, but that does not earn him the right to do what he did to you. You are a very lucky man and can say that I think you have done the right thing on all parts. One, keeping your composure in this situation by refraining from a personal retaliation, getting the pictures and involving the police. Secondly, taking time off from the motorcycle and putting some space between you and what happened and not having a knee jerk reaction hanging up your helmet and selling your vehicle. I will say this, I think if it were me, I might have had more than just a little piss in my pants.

Glad you made it out OK and good to see that things look like they're moving in the right direction for you.

Cheers!

 

Yeah, DiVer I recall seeing your posts. how long were you off?

Thanks OOTVS. I wont try to deny, I had some awful feelings toward this guy. My wife still does.

Now, I am looking to finish the total restore of my VFR, all cosmetic. I want new plastics, and new paint job.

I think that'll help get me moving again too.

 

Glad to have you back, Ghost. Helluva story, and you did the right thing. Way to keep your cool, as well. I've got 3 kids of my own, all driving, but I'm not so sure I could have controlled my emotions enough to not want to try beat the snot out of that driver for nearly killing me.

Hope some good juju heads your way!

 

About the same amount of time......My story isn't as (and I use this word lightly) "interesting" as yours. I was just locked in a sardine can for 30 days at a time then when I was off I just didnt get online on VFRW. Now I have an office job with my company so now I can troll again bwwaahhhaahhaaa. Glad to hear you are doing well. Congrats on being a father again (sorry a year late). Dont blame you for takeing time off from rideing. That shiet would rattle a lot of people. You did the right thing turning that :asshat: in. If he truely felt that way I think a lot more people in the future would be hurt by his lack of pateints and driving skills. Glad you are back up on the Iron steed. Ride safe man. (originally from Va Beach so I know OBX)

 

That made me lol. Children will change a man. I read an article once.. great read. Heres a snipit of it.

It took me a bit to figure out what you meant by sardine can. I got to hand it to you, I dunno if I can be confined like that. Have you ever seen for yourself, people going nuts over that?

 

It took me a bit to figure out what you meant by sardine can. I got to hand it to you, I dunno if I can be confined like that. Have you ever seen for yourself, people going nuts over that?[/QUOTE]


No and yes. Its just a state of mind. You bring books or magazines to read. If you have a good bell partner time flies. The only time that Ive actually seen someone go "nuts" was when a good friend of mine was quitting smokeing. He was prescribed Chantix. Now what we do we have to breath a higher percent of O2 in the system. Its a lot of physics and physiology but the short version is 35-45% O2 and 65-55% helium as compaired to normal 21% O2 79% Nitrogen your now breathing. When you are in the system and sleeping you have the best and most realistic dreams. One of Chantixs side effects at sea level is hallucinations. Under pressure all drugs have an incressed effect or the acutual desired effect of the drug can change on what it was meant to do. (he was not allowed to have Chantixs in the system but he didnt know this at the time.) Needless to say he saw rabbits crawling through walls and all sorts of strange crap. He got combative to the point they had to knock him out with a fire extigusher....twice. He is ok now and we get a good chuckle over beers. Do I miss diveing...yes. I may go back to it next year. No I will not bring in Chantix when and if I do. Sorry for the hijack but you asked. Oh and welcome back.

 

Not a problem I asked... Always wondered. Thats a pretty good beer story indeed... lol

Thats awesome.

Thanks DiVeFR

 

That's a crazy story and glad you ended up ok! Also happy that D-Bag is in jail!!

I had a similar thing happen to me on a major highway in the Chicago area about 18 years ago (guy was in a rush, and didn't care I was there when he squeezed in behind me and a truck, rubbing my back tire in the process) and that was the ONE thing in my riding career that freaked me out pretty bad. To say I was pissed was an understatement so I can understand how you feel. Glad you are back!:smile:

 

Makes you wonder how many other crazy fkrs are out there that really don't give a shizzle about anybody but them. I'm surprised he didn't run you off the road when you were taking his picture! He had to realize that you intended to use it against him but perhaps his ego just dismissed it like I would with a mosquito sucking on my leg. He probably didn't see you as a threat. Good thing!

Really glad you are back, in one piece.

 

:hss:

that would of rattled pretty much anyone, Ghost. Vietnam Vet or not, nobody needs to drive like that. Yes, he deserves to be locked up, but will probably get probation, but does not need to be driving.

 

Ooooooh myyyy, what a dickhead!!!! Glad you 're still here to tell the story Ghost, glad you're back here in the nuthouse with the rest of us to share too!! You did absolutely the right thing, and I am impressed at your composure, control, and thought process in such a horrible situation. Getting all information and pictures needed wouldn't have happened if you couldn't keep your head on straight. Much kudos to you for using the law to your advantage instead of doing something stupid and likely getting yourself in more trouble. :thumbsup:

 

So. I have to ask. Just because he is a Vietman Vet, does that give him some sort of God given right to put his fellow "American" citizen's life at risk. Regardless of the politics of that war, in an ideal sence, the whole reasoning behind US involvement in that war was to supposidly protect the rights and safety of people. Now he thinks he can arbitrarily put other totally innocent people's lives at risk back home. Is this guy off his meds? I mean really? A response like his makes me wonder if he may be on some sort of medications that he now feels he doesn't need.

You did the right thing man. You maintained your cool and under the circumstances you described, that alone in substantial. You then followed up with the police. Fortunately, with your evidence, they were able to follow up and successfully bring this fugger to court. Police rely on people doing just what you did, to try to take dangerous people off the road. I would keep in touch with either the LEO or the DA, to make sure they are aware of you willingness to do what is right. It would be a shame if this guy got off, only because it was determined that you were needed after all, and for what ever reason, you could not be found, or could not accomodate for legitimate reasons. Speaking from experience as former LEO.

I used to hate "I don't want to get involved." Well if you don't want to get involved, just what the hell do you think I am likely going to be able to do about it?

Glad you're back. We all have had close calls, but few ever have delings such as what you described. I doubt that anything even remotely close to that, will ever happen to you again.

 

Glad you are ok man! And that he will pay for his life threatening actions! Ride safe!