KSL News Report
July 10th, 2008 @ 7:45am
(KSL News) A motorcycle crash turns fatal overnight in West Valley City.
Police say the driver of a car didn’t see 24-year-old Alex Soderborg on his motorcycle when Soderborg turned out in front of him near 4100 South and 4000 West. Soderborg collided with the car and was thrown about 10 feet. He was wearing a helmet but had severe head injuries and died at the scene.
No word yet on whether any charges will be filed.
Motorcycles
What a terrible tragedy. I have noticed a lot more motorcyles around this summer. With gas prices as high as they are, a motorcycle is a logical choice.
My condolences to all involved.
Okay – this is a little confusing, BUT
the car was at fault, NOT the motorcyclist. Here is the post from KUTV – apparently they know how to portray the facts of the story without getting things too mucked up!
Alex Soderborg, 24, was riding a motorcycle east on 4400 South just after 11 p.m. Wednesday. He was nearing the intersection of 4000 West when another vehicle coming the opposite direction made a left hand turn and the motorcyclist slammed into the side of the car, according to investigators.
God bless the riders family. They now have to live life without a loved one because of some idiotic mistake.
My worst fear
My beloved son just bought a motorcycle because of the ridiculous gas prices.
He is a responsible man, and has taken the course, and by all accounts is driving his motorcycle safely.
To ALL drivers: PLEASE! LOOK for motorcycles. Be aware. No phone call is worth anyone’s son’s life.
I’m afraid, and this story has increased my fear by a notch.
To Alex’s family and friends, I’m so sorry. May God give you comfort, and hold you close in this awful time.
The person involved
I just want to let everyone to know the person that Alex was. He is a very close friend and also worked as a photographer with me.
He has riden a motorcycle for the past four years, took training classes and is one of the most defensive drivers I had ever seen. He has told me several times of cars pushing him out of his lane or pulling in front of him.
This was one of the best young people you would ever meet. He comes from one of the most solid families I have ever met. His parents are real parents that take their roles seriously and taught their children what it took to be a good person. The world is a much less place because he is gone.
It’s sad…
I hate reading stories like this. I haven’t ridden my bike in 3 weeks because of a close encounter I had with someone who was text messaging and driving.
The “I did not see him” excuse needs to stop. People need to be accountable for their actions… something along the lines of negligent homicide comes to mind. If people start being held accountable for their actions, maybe they will pay more attention and think things thru before they act. Maybe is the key word there though.
I’m one of those riders that generally rides a good 5-10mph over the flow of traffic. I didnt use to though. I found that if I am doing the speed limit and go with the flow in a group of cars they FORGET that I am there. All of a sudden I am surrounded by people that don’t see me. So I speed to remove myself from that situation. It’s funny that someone mentioned the police are trained this exact same thing. A police officer actually told me its safer to go faster, and they dont pull over bikers going a reasonable speed. In my years of riding, no speeding tickets for me.
I’m sorry for the friends and families of the victim. I hope justice is served.
People
Some people really make me angry!
Scooter, Bullet Bike, Motorcycle.. DOESN’T MATTER!!! START SEEING US!!!!
Alex was a faboulus guy!
It isnt a matter of him, it is a matter of the driver of the car not seeing him!
The way KSL has it worded sounds really wrong Like Alex hit them,
What really happened,
ALEX WAS RIDING HIS MOTORCYCLE EAST ON 4100 SOUTH JUST AFTER 11 P.M. LAST NIGHT. HE WAS NEARING THE INTERSECTION OF 4000 WEST WHEN THE VEHICLE COMING THE OPPPSITE DIRECTION MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND ALEX SLAMMED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR.
Can someone PLEASE tell me how it was Alex’s fault if he was going straight, the car turned LEFT in front of him, and he hit the passenger side of the car?
His family and my fiances family are dear friends of the Soderborg’s! My fiance grew up with them, and we are very stunned by this accident!
As someone else had stated, it is the phase you get into when you are driving “is there a car? no, ok go.” when is SHOULD be “is there a VEHICLE (MOTORCYCLE, CAR, SCOOTER, RV) It doesnt matter!!! Open your EYES!
My condolences, to the Soderborg’s!
And to the person who hit Alex, its unfortunate, but they should pay more than just a slap on the wrist. Maybe they will start opening their eyes!
I went to High School with Alex, he was a great man. I am actually very close with his sisters. He loved motorcycles. This is really just to bad
Soderborg neighbor/family friend
The Soderborg family lives in my Stake. I have been friends with several of their older children. They have wonderful kids. Their home is a happy one full of love and lots of laughter. I think of them as very neighborly, often helping others. They used to have an icecream machine out on the porch during hot summer months, and welcomed anyone to stop by for a visit and an icecream. Each of them is extremely intelligent and well educated. It will be sad for 1 twin to be w/out the other. I am sorry for your loss. But atleast we know the Gospel plan of celestial families. Mark Deppe
I knew Alex. He was a great guy and I remember him as a very hard worker. I worked with him at Integrated Airline Services a few months back. I was on his team and he worked the k-loader (big machine that unloads freight cans), he was very skilled on it.
I also ride a motorcycle. I have ridden for 6 years (I’m now 26). Motorcycles are dangerous, the thoughts of what could happen are ever present in my mind. Despite this feeling I wouldn’t give up riding. You MUST be in a DIFFERENT FRAME OF MIND when you ride a motorcycle. You have to drive like you’re invisible, because often are to so many distracted or hurried drivers. You must see ahead at what could possibly happen and prepare for it! This has saved me a few times. GIVE DRIVERS AHEAD OF YOU LOTS OF ROOM AND EXPECT THE SAME FROM THOSE BEHIND YOU!!! Expect that drivers on your left and right can’t see you and try to stay offset from them incase they make a sudden lane change. In the city make sure to MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER and be prepared for them to pull out in front of you in any case. Don’t expect that people will be mindful of you when you’re out on the road, BE DEFENSIVE!!! Drivers must look out for motorcycles!!! But as a motorcycle rider I know that will fall on the deaf ears of the majority and it’s my job to protect myself.
Remember…
ASSUME NOBODY CAN SEE YOU
MAKE EYE CONTACT
HAVE A WAY OUT
TUNE YOUR SENSES TO SEE THREATS COMING FROM 360 DEGREES
GIVE LOTS OF ROOM AND EXPECT THE SAME
BE SMART…..THE ROAD IS UNFORGIVING
R.I.P ALEX You will be missed by many.
Just a thought …
Maybe instead of the US vs THEM (Car vs Bike) attitude we need re-think about how the vehicle is only as good as the people operating them. Everyone needs to be aware (even bicyclists and pedestrians) when around vehicles.
IMHO driving is a privilege NOT and entitlement. No one is entitled to endanger another be it by speeding, multi-tasking, disciplining kids, beating the light, whatever. I think we are all guilty of distracted driving – not paying attention to the task at hand … being aware while driving.
Maybe there should be stickers that say “BE AWARE” instead of “START SEEING MOTORCYCLES”
My condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives on the roads this past week.
someone who actually cares
you people make me sick!! why don’t you all get over yourselves and have some consideration and respect for the family by not making accusations about alex when you don’t even know him!!! you would want the same if it was your family
I’m so sorry
I know this guy for quite sometime and I feel terribly bad that this accident happened. I’m really sorry for the family that was left behind. He’s been such a great friend to a lot of people and touches a lot of hearts including mine. We will miss you. My condolences for your family. –
my love and support go out to the family
I have known Alex for about 10 years, and I have been close to him and his siblings over the years. My love and support go out to his family at this time, and you are in my prayers.