Motorcyclist killed in Tuesday wreck

Motorcyclist killed in Tuesday wreck

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Tuesday, April 24. 2012

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The driver of a Harley Davidson motorcycle was killed Tuesday morning on South Elm Street at the Dairy Queen.

Coroner Keith Whitfield identified the victim as James Scroggs, 69, of Maysville..

Commerce police chief John Gaissert said Scroggs was traveling south when he was struck by a northbound Ford Expedition that was turning left into the Dairy Queen. The impact threw Scroggs onto the pavement. He was pronounced dead at Northridge Medical Center.

One of the biker's shoes was 40-feet or further from the impact as a State Patrol officer took photos of the scene. According to Gaissert, a GSP accident reconstruction team had been summoned.

The State Patrol and Whitfield are investigating the incident.

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#1 Harley Rider on 04/24/12 at 11:03 AM [Reply]

My condolences go out the riders family. Always hate to hear of any tragic accident involving death. But once again this involves someone not paying any attention at all. If you are making a turn into a driveway, road, etc. And you couldn't see a motorcycle coming right toward you then you wasn't paying attention..plain and simple. I only hope the driver of the vehicle has learned a hard but valuable lesson.

#1.1 Anonymous on 04/24/12 at 02:36 PM [Reply]

God be with these families.Prayers go out to each of the them.

#2 Anon on 04/24/12 at 02:01 PM [Reply]

Was the driver of the vehicle charged?

#3 Rider on 04/24/12 at 02:33 PM [Reply]

Condolences to the Scroggs family. Too many times irresponsible and clueless drivers have killed motorcyclists with the left hand turn maneuver. On my motorcycle I have also been an accident victim of a driver executing a left turn in front of me. And several friends of mine have been injured or killed by careless car drivers. And what happens? Maybe a ticket or a suspended sentence. Lives have been lost or ruined and families devastated from such idiocy. Nothing can bring back the dead, but if drivers committing these crimes faced mandatory jail time and heavy, very heavy fines perhaps there would be less careless drivers and more lives saved.

#4 jj on 04/24/12 at 02:37 PM [Reply]

they will investigte first.probably charge them with vehicular homicide

#4.1 Anon E. Mouse on 04/25/12 at 01:24 PM [Reply]

"probably charge them with vehicular homicide".

Not in THIS reality. If they even get a ticket, it will be a surprise. MOST car drivers that hit, cripple and MURDER a motorcyclist barely get a slap on the wrist.

I can hear it now..."But occifer, I didn't even SEE them".

Besides, most people think motorcyclist are just "motorcycle trash" anyway, so who cares?

Well, I'll tell ya who cares! Us motorcycle trash, that's who. And the families of the motorcycle trash that gets killed or crippled for life by these careless people.

Most people that aren't riding a motorcycle think that since their car or truck is bigger than my motorcycle, well, I'll just stop for them cause they are bigger.

They are "car bullies", pure and simple.

And now another "biker" is dead and a family mourns, because someone couldn't wait 20 seconds for the motorcycle (which had the RIGHT OF WAY, by the way!) to go by, because they had to get themselves an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen RIGHT NOW.

My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Scroggs.

#4.1.1 jj on 04/27/12 at 03:45 PM [Reply]

i agree. i am a motorcycle rider. i think the next time someone turns in front of us and we get lucky enough to not have an accident we whould jerk the out of their cars and beat the crap out of them. maybe next time they think about turning in front of a motorcycle they will think twice and remember last time what they got.

#4.1.1.1 Anonymous on 04/30/12 at 02:43 PM [Reply]

Naw, that would make us almost as bad as THEY are. Besides, they would just have you arrested and then sue YOU. The truth is that, in the eyes of the law, motorcyclist are the lowest form of life and have no legal rights. Who else gets run over and crushed to death and the other driver only gets a slap on the wrist? Who else has police check points that stop ONLY the type of vehicle that YOU are driving, just to check your safety equipment and registration/insurance (which is actually ILLEGAL, but they still do it here in Georgia)?

#5 Richard Dills ( pickle) on 04/24/12 at 06:49 PM [Reply]

Mr Jim Scroggs, my brother in Christ. My thoughts and prayers go out to this family. Jim and his wife are two of the nicest Christain people i have ever had a chance to meet. He would do anything for anyone, all with the love of God in his heart. A great singer and community man always striving to put a smile on other peoples face. I will miss you my friend, but look foward to the day we can sing together in heaven with the angles.

#6 Anon on 04/25/12 at 03:16 PM [Reply]

My condolences to both sides of this incident. Accidents happen, and a situation like this is always tragic. No one means to kill someone on a motorcycle. Some charges should occur, yes, but do not demonize the driver. They will have to live with this for the rest of their lives.

#6.1 Anon E. Mouse on 04/26/12 at 06:29 AM [Reply]

Sorry, but I've seen too many of my friends and fellow motorcyclist MURDERED by careless, unthinking, selfish drivers who just couldn't wait to make that turn or pull out and GO, because they are in too much of a self-important hurry, for me to NOT demonize someone who is nice and safe inside of a steel safety cage and surrounded by airbags when they MURDER a motorcyclist who is OBEYING THE LAW, MINDING THEIR OWN BUSINESS, riding their LEGAL motor-vehicle and had to pay the ultimate price because of someone else's stupid mistake.

THEY have the luxury of "living with it for the rest of THEIR lives", the DEAD motorcyclist does NOT.

#7 Debra White on 04/25/12 at 03:23 PM [Reply]

I live across the street from the Dairy Queen and in the past 12 years, I have seen many, many accidents or near misses with people coming in and out of there. I think the speed limit should be lower, or more cops hiding in the bushes more often, because I see people flying up and down that stretch all the time. I saw the accident yesterday, and I can not for the life of me figure out how that happened. The position of the SUV was well to the left of the entrance. There were no skid marks, so he never hit his brakes. It just makes no sense.
My prayers go out to the family of Mr. Scroggs and I hope God will help his family through this terrible loss. I am also praying for the older man that hit him. This has been a tragedy for all involved.

#7.1 Take another look on 04/26/12 at 08:35 PM [Reply]

Here's how it happened...motorcycle going straight....SUV started to turn left in front of him....they basically hit head on. You need to look at the significant skid marks, still on the road, made by the motorcycle. And a bike that has a weight of several hundred pounds can move a small SUV a significant distance with that kind of impact.

I never met Mr.Scroggs but as a fellow rider my hart is heavy. My two wheeled brother you will be remembered every time it thunders as God undoubtedly let's you ride a Harley in heaven.

#8 Anonymous on 04/26/12 at 09:15 PM [Reply]

I was at the scene. They all fail to report that his wife was following him and seen the whole thing. May God be with her and the family. The driver of the Explore was talking on the phone and I over heard him say, " he was coming so fast, I didn't even see him." We all know that if you are crossing traffic to go somewhere you look first.
Scroggs family, my prayers are with you.

#9 HARLEY RIDER on 04/27/12 at 04:06 PM [Reply]

WHEN TWO CARS COLLIDE AND SOMEONE IS KILLED THEY ARE CHARGED WITH VEHICULAR HOMICIDE. WHEN A CAR AND A MOTORCYLE COLLIDE THEY DO NOTHING. OUR LIVES JUST ARE NOT WORTH ANYTHING TO THEM.

#10 Wrong words on 04/27/12 at 07:39 PM [Reply]

It is really hard for me to hear the word murder!! I know the man who was driving the Explore, and he is the nicest man. I don't think he set out to murder anyone. I am sure we all have had some kind of moment where we didn't see someone coming. I am not saying it is ok, but people really need to watch there words. All this seems to be is about motorcycle people hating on others. This is very bad for both family's. It may very well have been a mistake. He will have to leave with this for the rest of his life, seeing it over and over. I seen him today, and he is very upset set. Please can't people just be nicer!!

#10.1 glenda on 04/27/12 at 11:13 PM [Reply]

This is so true. My heart goes out to both families.We all have our times when we make a mistake and wish to our good Lord that we could wake up and it be only a nightmare.Mr scroggs was a good christian man and HE would be dissapointed in man who has so much hate in their hearts.Pray for the ones that lost their loved one.May God bring them comfort during this sad time.But also pray for the driver who will have to carry this the rest of his life.

#10.1.1 pickle on 04/28/12 at 02:09 PM [Reply]

This is on the spot right! My friend Jim, I have never heard him say a harsh word too or about anyone. This was a tragic accident,that has harshly affected both familys and friends. Prayers go out for both familys. I just know my friend Jim is enjoying being at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ!

#11 ??? on 04/28/12 at 08:26 AM [Reply]

Does anyone else thing it's incredibly irresponsible for the publisher to permit this comments section to remain open?

#11.1 pickle on 04/29/12 at 01:02 PM [Reply]

NO!

#11.1.1 JOHN V. on 04/30/12 at 09:14 AM [Reply]

no. agreed

#11.2 Yes! on 04/30/12 at 08:52 AM [Reply]

Yes, I do. I don't think it should have ever been allowed comments!

#12 KD on 04/28/12 at 06:03 PM [Reply]

It is a tragedy for both families. I am not a motorcyclist and I am absolutely terrified of them. However, I respect tremendously the rights of those who ride both motorcycles and bicycles. Drivers in Jackson County are becoming more and more like Atlanta drivers. A day does not go by when a car or truck does not pull out in front of me or does not turn in front of me. In order to not have an accident if you are a Jackson Countian you have to be extremely defensive in your driving. If you are in a car, SUV, truck, whatever and you do not have the patience to wait for traffic to pass, then you need to be responsible enough to accept the consequences. It is not about being a good or bad person, it is about the responsibilities of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. I sincerely hope that the person who was in the Explorer and turned in front of the motorcycle killing the motorcyclist sees some serious jail time. I also hope that the deceased's family sues and receives compensation for the loss of their loved one, altho when your loved one is slaughtered on a highway, there will never be just compensation. The person in the Explorer did not make a mistake, he made a decision that can never be undone or changed. Perhaps we should all take sometime with us from this needless death and think before we turn in front of someone the next time. There is nothing worth the short cut to get to if you can kill yourself or someone else. And yes, I call this murder. It is murder as much as any other form of murder.

#13 Anon on 04/28/12 at 11:04 PM [Reply]

I have plenty of people in my family who ride motorcycles, and have nearly hit a good many myself. I know the man who hit the motorcyclist and he's far from a terrible person. His goal for Tuesday was NOT to murder someone. It's unbelievable how inconsiderate people really are. Yes, the motorcyclist was I'm sure an outstanding man. But what is done has been done. Life goes on, and the man driving te explorer is going to live the rest of his time with this mistake. You all calling him names is nothing less than immature.

Often times the person on the motorcycle believe that they can do anything they want i.e. park anywhere cause they fit, drive faster cause they can, pass in he middle of lanes because they simply believe its okay. No I'm not saying all motorcyclists have done this or drive this way. But motorcycles aren't the safest thing, and you're going to have to understand when you get on one- you're putting yourself at risk for anything at all.

Stop thinking negatively and look at the facts here, people.

#13.1 gracie on 04/29/12 at 09:58 PM [Reply]

God Bless You, very well put.

#13.2 Right.. on 04/30/12 at 06:30 AM [Reply]

The facts are that a motorcyclist was riding down the street and a SUV turned into his lane and hit him head on killing him.

Despite how good of people either of them may be, despite whatever stigmas exist against motorcycle drivers and the like. Even if his wife was following him and witnessed the whole thing.

A man was killed. The only thing other than the actual accident was if the driver of the SUV was on the phone.. which makes the need for a no cell phone in any way while operating a vehicle law necessary. And shows negligence of the driver over and above just not paying attention.

He should be charged, based on the facts.

#13.3 KD on 05/02/12 at 10:15 PM [Reply]

Anon: the topic is not carelessness of motorcycle drivers who think they own the road. A motorcyclist was killed going down the road, in his own lane, abiding by the law. A driver of an SUV turned in front of the motorcycle driver resulting in the death of said motorcyclist. A sad and tragic way for a life to end. There is no defense or justification for just deciding to turn in front of someone. The driver of the SUV needs to be charged with vehicular homicide, I would prefer first degree murder.

#14 Caged on 04/29/12 at 10:36 AM [Reply]

Prayers are in need for all parties involved. That however does not give justification for the failure to yield nor does it change the facts. I have sold my motorcycle because of the irresponsible drivers who would rather talk on the phone than use a turn signal. My neighbor was killed the same way. I'm not implicating this driver, but a proper investigation should be followed with a proper penalty. Sometimes Life does not go on.

#15 Amy on 04/29/12 at 11:47 AM [Reply]

I knew both Men Jim and the Man that hit him Bill. Jim was a great man and a great singer, Christain person, community man, always found away to put a smile on someones face. And because he was that great person lived for God he wouldn't have wanted the things I am reading and hearing be said. Accidents happen and want I am reading you people have turn this around to be a motorcycle against cars dill. They are people lives familys to think about here. This is not about any of you people I ride a motorcycle ever chase I get. I get in my car and drive it every day and I take a chase in life ever morning I wake up to start my day. I played cards with Jim when I was younger I worked with Bill a few years ago and both Men are great men. Jim will be missed by many people and family and was loved by many. Bill has to live the rest of his life with this accident that happen. He was getting his biscuit and going to work like he always did even when I worked with him he did that. Don't think for one moment this man don't regret what happen. He will always have this on his mind for the rest of his life. I have tears in my eyes and breaks my heart to think this man would go to jail for this. It is so sad for both family to be going throw what they are going throw. God does not promise us tomorrow so people enjoy ever moment you have.

#15.1 pickle on 04/30/12 at 04:48 PM [Reply]

Very well said. God bless you. The thing Jim would wont to know is, will everyone of us be in heaven with him one day. Thats what is important here and now. We cant change what happend,but we all will live eternally, the question is where? Heaven or hell, do you no the answer!

#15.1.1 glenda on 05/01/12 at 06:06 PM [Reply]

God bless you pickle,always trying to keep piece between fellowman.I bet jim is smiling down on you, on the right hand of OUR GOOD LORD saying keep up your good work and he will see you his friend in Christ one day.Keep on, Keeping on, we need more REAL men like you.

#15.1.2 Joe on 05/02/12 at 03:03 PM [Reply]

What is being done now? Any charges pending?

#16 ashlyn on 05/03/12 at 09:57 PM [Reply]

So sorry for the families involved. Anytime we get into our car/truck there is a chance for a bad outcome on the road. We are human and humans can make bad last minute decisions, poor judgement or not be observant enough. Sometimes no matter how careful we try to be, things are out of our control. Tragic losses can happen. Bicycles and Motorcycles share the road with much larger vehicles and are at a greater risk as they have less protection, are more difficult to see or notice at times. It's a basic fact. Calling the person in the SUV a criminal name is irresponsible and ignorant.

#16.1 shirley on 05/04/12 at 11:03 AM [Reply]

You are so right ashlyn.These people throwing stones may be walking in his shoes one day.You never know what your future holds.

#17 Allen on 05/09/12 at 04:44 AM [Reply]

I ride a motorcycle myself and we have to watch every intersection and corner and driveway. Mr Scrogs and Officer Brooks who lost thier life due to a wreck on a motorcycle caused by another individual does not make that person a murderer. The public needs to be aware that a motorcyclist has the rights to the road. Coming into Commerce the other day had a guy started to ease over into my lane. I blew my horn and the whimpy horn will be changed out for a louder one to be heard. The man did not see me, I was in in blind spot. the car drivers need to check their blind spots and look over their shoulders to make sure there is not a person on a motorcycle next to them.
I ride for the Patriot Gaurd Riders and it was my honor to ride in the funeral possesion for Offcier Brooks Monday. To both families I send my prayers and condolences and may you find comfort in all prayers offered. We have lights on our motorcycles that stay lit at all times and when you see us a lot of people think we ae further away then we really are. If you see our lights we are closer to that intersection then you realize.
So to all car and truck drivers please be more aware of your surroundings when you see us motorcyclist coming down the road. We are not motorcyle trash as someone has mentioned. some of us are retail woorkers as well as police officers and a few lawyers and dentist as well. So it goes to show there are all kinds of us riding.
Another thing. when driving I have seen a few people either texting or talking on their cell phones and not paying any attention to what or who is in front of them. "STAY OFF YOUR PHONES" IF YOU NEED TO MAKE A CALL OR TEXT SOMEONE PULL OFF THE DAMN ROAD" May save someones life besides a motorcyclist. I pull off the road when I need to talk or send a tx. Takes a few minutes.
ALSO WHEN YOU ARE ON THE CELL PHONE YOU DUMMIES ARE NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DOING. I drive from Athens and have people pass me weather I am in my truck or on my motorcycle doing 55-70 and be on thier sorry cell phones. These people are extremely ignorant and rude.
Georgia Drivers are extremely rude no matter what county you live in. No respect for others, too big of a hurry to get where they want to get. My favorite saying their goes an a--hole in a big hurry to get nowhere. They come around a left hand curve on the wrong side of the road and don't have no repect for anyone on a motorcycle. We motorcycle riders are not trash.. Some of us commute further and riding a bike saves on gas. My truck gets 16 miles on one gal of gas. I travel 210 miles a week back and forth to work. My motorcycle gets 50 miles to a gallon and saves me money. But yet I have to watch out for the idiots on the road that don't have the concern of pulling out in front of us riders.
So to all Ga drivers please be aware of your surroundings and what is coming down the road before you pull out.,,,,,,,

#17.1 Steve on 05/10/12 at 07:25 AM [Reply]

CLAPPING!!

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