Motorcyclist John Michael Gibson from Virginia Beach Loses His Life in Wreck

In what has become a depressingly familiar scenario in Virginia Beach and other Hampton Roads cities this year, a motorcyclist has lost his life in a collision with a car making a turn.

Virginia Beach police provided details of the death of 58-year-old John Michael Gibson of Virginia Beach on Tuesday.

My thoughts are with the family of Mr. Gibson at this tragic time. I am saddened to read about how another driver apparently failed to look out for a motorcyclist with tragic consequences.

Police said on September 14, 2014 at about 9:06 p.m. they responded to a crash involving a motorcycle and sport utility vehicle in the 400 block of S. Rosemont Rd. Members of the public made “valiant efforts to provide medical attention to the motorcycle operator before emergency responders arrived on scene,” said police spokesman Patrick Kane in a press release. Emergency responders took over but the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries.

The preliminary police investigation revealed a 1995 Ford Bronco was heading northbound on S. Rosemont Road and stopped in the left turn lane at Silina Drive which was subject to a flashing left turn yield light. Mr. Gibson was riding a 2012 Harley Davidson southbound on S. Rosemont Road and approaching the intersection with Silina Drive. The Bronco entered the intersection and hit the motorcyclist who was thrown off his bike.

The 18-year-old driver of the Bronco who is from Virginia Beach was issued a summons for Failure to Yield when making left turn. Speed and alcohol are not considered factors in the crash which remains under investigation.

If a loved one loses his or her life due to the fault of another driver, family members are often entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Call our Virginia Beach wrongful death attorneys for further details at 757.455.0077.