Aftermath of a Horrific Motorcycle Wreck - page 1
Seven weeks after a horrific motorcycle wreck near my house, I first photographed many items left at the scene in remembrance of the victims. [Updated March 25, 2011]

On March 25, 2010, a dump truck moving at speed plowed into and over a group of eight motorcycles waiting in line at a stop light at Carefree Highway and 27th Drive. A huge fire immediately engulfed the truck and the victims, several of whom were trapped under the truck. The driver said he was looking down fishing for some papers, and was later found to have illegal drugs in his system. Witnesses rushed from a nearby Walgreens drug store, but they were unable to help the victims trapped under the truck due to the flames. Four riders died in the accident, and several more were critically injured.

There are two ways out of my housing area, and this is one of them. I drive my car or motorcycle through this intersection almost every day.

I took some of these photos on June 12, 2010. Additional photos added taken March 23 and March 25, 2011.

In late June 2010, the bandanas were removed from the trees, but the items left on the ground remain. The old bandanas were made into quilts and given to the victims' families. On the one year anniversary of the wreck, new bandanas were hung.

Click on an image to see a larger version, then keep clicking to advance through them.
From online news reports - March 25, 2010, eight motorcycles were run over by a dump truck while they were sitting in traffic at a red light at 27th Drive and Carefree Highway. The driver never applied the brakes. At least one car in front of the motorcyclists was also destroyed by the impact.<br><br>The tree visible in the lower left was gradually covered with bandanas left by passing motorcyclists in remembrance of the victims.
From online news reports - March 25, 2010, eight motorcycles were run over by a dump truck while they were sitting in traffic at a red light at 27th Drive and Carefree Highway. The driver never applied the brakes. At least one car in front of the motorcyclists was also destroyed by the impact.

The tree visible in the lower left was gradually covered with bandanas left by passing motorcyclists in remembrance of the victims.

 More items left in memoriam at the accident site.
More items left in memoriam at the accident site.

 Bandanas let in memoriam wave from a small tree at the accident site. A larger tree was completely covered by other bandanas.
Bandanas let in memoriam wave from a small tree at the accident site. A larger tree was completely covered by other bandanas.

Bandanas left in memoriam at the March 25, 2010 accident site at Carefree Highway and 27th drive. After seven weeks, this tree was filled, and a second smaller tree as well. The bandanas were mostly removed in late June. <br><br>The bandanas were made into quilts and given to the victims' families.
Bandanas left in memoriam at the March 25, 2010 accident site at Carefree Highway and 27th drive. After seven weeks, this tree was filled, and a second smaller tree as well. The bandanas were mostly removed in late June.

The bandanas were made into quilts and given to the victims' families.

 A large get-well card left at the accident site.
A large get-well card left at the accident site.

 Many items have been left in memoriam to those killed and injured at the March 25, 2010 accident site at 27th Drive and Carefree Highway.
Many items have been left in memoriam to those killed and injured at the March 25, 2010 accident site at 27th Drive and Carefree Highway.

Seven weeks after the March 25 accident. An ugly scar on the pavement remains where the motorcycles were run over by a dump truck. There is still some melted aluminum on the pavement caused by the resulting fire.
Seven weeks after the March 25 accident. An ugly scar on the pavement remains where the motorcycles were run over by a dump truck. There is still some melted aluminum on the pavement caused by the resulting fire.

A view of the March 25 accident scene looking east along Carefree Highway at 27th drive.
A view of the March 25 accident scene looking east along Carefree Highway at 27th drive.

 Items left by passersby in memoriam of those involved in the horrific accident on March 25, 2010.
Items left by passersby in memoriam of those involved in the horrific accident on March 25, 2010.

A few of some of the items left in memoriam at the March 25, 2010 accident site. Customers at the Walgreens in the background heard the horrific wreck and rushed to help, but were unable save everyone due to the fire which immediately engulfed the truck, motorcycles and some of the victims.
A few of some of the items left in memoriam at the March 25, 2010 accident site. Customers at the Walgreens in the background heard the horrific wreck and rushed to help, but were unable save everyone due to the fire which immediately engulfed the truck, motorcycles and some of the victims.

 March 23, 2011 - Almost one year after the wreck.
March 23, 2011 - Almost one year after the wreck.

 March 23, 2011. A faded artificial flower lies at the memorial site.
March 23, 2011. A faded artificial flower lies at the memorial site.












A plaque in remembrance of the victims has been added to the memorial site.
A plaque in remembrance of the victims has been added to the memorial site.

 2 days before the first anniversary of the wreck.
2 days before the first anniversary of the wreck.






Comments left at the site.
Comments left at the site.
Exactly one year after the wreck. Bandanas again cover a tree, and fresh flowers and articles have appeared at the memorial site.
Exactly one year after the wreck. Bandanas again cover a tree, and fresh flowers and articles have appeared at the memorial site.





Bandanas, with a cross tied in the center, appeared on the morning of the one year anniversary of the wreck.
Bandanas, with a cross tied in the center, appeared on the morning of the one year anniversary of the wreck.

 One year later, the accident scene is still very visible in the pavement as black scars and melted aluminum.
One year later, the accident scene is still very visible in the pavement as black scars and melted aluminum.


Fresh flowers and a lit candle at the site on the one year anniversary.
Fresh flowers and a lit candle at the site on the one year anniversary.





This accident touched the lives of many people. Some much more than others.
This accident touched the lives of many people. Some much more than others.













A part from one of the wrecked motorcycles was left at the scene one year later.
A part from one of the wrecked motorcycles was left at the scene one year later.
People write their thoughts in a notebook at the memorial site. Periodically the notebooks are collected and given to the families of the victims to read.
People write their thoughts in a notebook at the memorial site. Periodically the notebooks are collected and given to the families of the victims to read.

 New flowers were left at the site on the one year anniversary of the wreck.
New flowers were left at the site on the one year anniversary of the wreck.


A large truck covers the area where the wreck took place.
A large truck covers the area where the wreck took place.


Witnesses Don and Patricia Morris point to where they saw the wreck. They came by a few minutes after it occurred. They gave high praise to the efforts of the Walgreen's manager (Donna), who assisted with the rescue and helped with the memorial.
Witnesses Don and Patricia Morris point to where they saw the wreck. They came by a few minutes after it occurred. They gave high praise to the efforts of the Walgreen's manager (Donna), who assisted with the rescue and helped with the memorial.
People stop by the memorial all the time.
People stop by the memorial all the time.

















This candle was burning for much of the day.
This candle was burning for much of the day.