<p>Two visitors are recovering from injuries after a Wednesday evening head-on moped crash with a Vineyard Transit Authority bus in Oak Bluffs.</p>
Two visitors on a rented moped were recovering Thursday after sustaining injuries in a Wednesday evening head-on crash with a Vineyard Transit Authority bus on Eastville avenue in Oak Bluffs.
Hospital spokesman said two people were injured in the collision.
Hospital spokesman said two people were injured in the collision.
Oak Bluffs police said Altagracia Melo, 46, from Roslindale was recovering from surgery at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, where she was taken by MedFlight Wednesday evening after sustaining serious injures.
Lieut. Timothy Williamson said Mrs. Melo had injuries to her abdomen that required surgery. She was seriously injured but is expected to recover, he said, and she will likely be in the hospital for a week or so.
Mrs. Melo was a passenger on a rental moped driven by her husband, Ruben Inoa-Rodriguez, 42. Lieutenant Williamson said Mr. Inoa-Rodriguez was in stable condition and recovering at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, where he was taken after the accident.
Police said the couple was visiting Martha’s Vineyard for the day.
Oak Bluffs police, fire and EMS all responded to the scene just after 5 p.m. at the corner of Eastville avenue by Temahigan avenue near the hospital, where there is a narrow curve. Other moped crashes have taken place over the years at the stretch of road by the hospital, including three fatal accidents.
EMS, fire, and police responded to scene.
EMS, fire, and police responded to scene.
Fire chief John Rose told the Gazette by phone Wednesday evening that the rented moped was traveling toward Oak Bluffs when it collided with a VTA bus traveling toward Vineyard Haven. “The moped collided almost head-on with the bus,” the fire chief said.
He said both driver and passenger were wearing helmets. Lieutenant Williamson said it appeared the moped lost control trying to negotiate the corner, crossed the center line of the road, and struck the bus head-on. Police said the moped had been rented from Adventure Rentals in Vineyard Haven.
Lieutenant Williamson said it was clear that the moped operator was at fault, and the driver admitted he took the corner too fast and crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic. “He actually mentioned he observed the sign that said ‘caution mopeds’ before the accident,” Lieutenant Williamson said.
He said police did not intend to issue any citations to the moped driver. “The investigations shows the moped operator was at fault for the crash,” he said. “It’s not going to do any good to issue a citation.”
Lieutenant Williamson said the bus driver, Nephtalie Faustin, 25, tried to take evasive measures and pull to the right, but she was unable to avoid the collision.
The VTA driver and six passengers aboard the bus were not injured, police said.
“Everybody was fine, just a little shaken,” Chief Rose said. At the scene a short time after the accident the bus was parked with a damaged windshield, and a blue moped was on the side of the road nearby. Police were tracing the bus’s position with paint.
Traffic was backed up and police diverted motorists through the parking area at the hospital.
The crash took place in a year of intense debate about how to more strictly regulate moped rentals on the Island, spurred in part by an accident last July. Discussions remain ongoing in Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven — the only two towns where moped rentals are licensed.
Comments
Mopeds will always be a
jill goodman chilmarkMopeds will always be a danger on this island. Too many inexperienced drivers and sand, curves, etc. on the roads. They should be banned.
The State won't change the
Darrell King EdgartownThe State won't change the law, but the Vineyard Towns could apply for Home Rule Petition and decide this one for themselves (I know, easier said than done...). The Island IS different, and mopeds don't belong here any more. The bus system is inexpensive, works well, and goes most everywhere folks need/want to get. Let's go, Selectmen!
First, thankfully there was
Abby Normal The rockFirst, thankfully there was no loss of life and it appears both will recover fully.
The man driving driving the moped was in the wrong. As stated in the article, "the moped operator was at fault, and the driver admitted he took the corner too fast and crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic. “He actually mentioned he observed the sign that said ‘caution mopeds’ before the accident,” Lieutenant Williamson said."
Do we not have personal responsibility? But, I will be called stupid or a heretic for suggesting such a thing.
He went too fast. The speed limit at that corner is 20 mph! It is a difficult corner, it is marked as such to give caution.
Stop blaming the moped rental business. People chose to rent. Not one forced them. Totally agree it should be one per moped, that should work.
What if the driver of the moped did that in a rental car? Took the corner too fast and went into the bus? Would we then have this outrage to ban rental cars?
THREE PEOPLE have died at
Scott Ryan New JerseyTHREE PEOPLE have died at that corner!!! THREE! Isn't that three too many? Can you really shrug off their deaths as a lack of adherence to the posted speed law? Read all the other eloquent comments. Almost EVERYONE who rides the island roads more than a day or two has encountered a dangerous situation with a moped. Your comments are really out of whack with common sense.
Is there a legal age
Year round VH Res Vineyard HavenIs there a legal age requirement to be a passenger on a moped? I saw a family doing their practice ride at Adventure Rentals in VH last week, and the little girl could not have been more than 10. She was riding on the back of the moped with one of her parents. Significantly more dangerous with two riders. Perhaps it's time the community gets together to protest in front of these establishments and to educate any prospective riders on all recent accidents, injuries, and deaths on the island.
One point against Abby Normal
Deborah Dixon OBOne point against Abby Normal's argument: Nobody can legally rent a car without a license. Though difficult, Home Rule Petition seems to provide the most direct route to a solution: on Island, one MUST have a motorcycle license to drive a scooter and only one rider is allowed.
Saw an accident on Abel's
Gay Head Guy Gay HeadSaw an accident on Abel's Hill a week ago when a guy wiped out and stripped the flesh off his right side arm and leg and mangled his toes (he was wearing flip flops!). He was with another rider and no vehicles were involved.
Maybe make the Moped dealers should have a binder with the past 36 months police records showing accidents and photos of crashes. Make the renters sign that they are aware of the dangers before the ride away. Most people who have never been here have an idyllic idea of what the Island is and are unaware that there are no shoulders on roads, heavy equipment, trucks, buses and SUVs traveling the same roads at speeds in excess of 35mph.
Tough situation....1)
PO EdgartownTough situation....1) business owners with limited employment / profit alternatives holding on for deal life while citing the law instead of a building body of evidence and 2) tourists who are generally ignorant when it comes to the dangers of operating mopeds and the nuances of the island. There should be zero question that it is in the best interest of the masses (as opposed to the few) to ban these things; if an outright ban is not possible, strict and consistent enforcement of moving violations may be a side-door way to chill their use - they won't seem to be 'cheap' alternatives when potential users learn of the price that goes with not knowing what they are doing. In addition, they should not be allowed on roads with speed limits >30mph - seeing the traffic backups (and danger) that result when these things are going between towns is downright appalling. Is this an area where the island / towns can act even if an complete ban isn't possible?
I worry about he safety of
Frequent Visitor Central MAI worry about the safety of the moped drivers every time I see one being operated on the the island. But on a recent visit to the island I used UBER for the first time ever anywhere. It worked great and was significantly less expensive than a cab. I think the VTA bus service is great, but if you come to the island and you don't know your way around and like the convenience of moving about as you please I think that's the appeal of a moped. UBER could be an transportation option for significant portion of people who might otherwise rent a moped.
Easy require 3 wheel mopeds -
Chris OBEasy require 3 wheel mopeds - ride much easier and safer. People still get the thrill and owners still get their money.
Many years ago, I had a very
G. Chapman New haven ctMany years ago, I had a very bad moped accident on MV that resulted in surgery. I refused to be flown to Boston because I had two young people with me on our four day vacation. I ended up being transported to Yale NH Hospital instead with the help of family who flew in. Looking back, I think more local buses, with better ads about where they go is the best alternative to mopeds. The island is overcrowded with way too many oversized SUV's making it simply unsafe to ride on mopeds. There are safer modes of transportation. The time has come to really think about the practicality of moped vs. safety.
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