<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
Ho many more of these is it
John Clarke EdgartownHo many more of these is it going to take before we get rid of the MOPEDS!
How many more of these
Lisa Holley Oak BluffsHow many more of these accidents before the purveyors of this misery find other businesses to run?
How many more accidents do we
Kara steiglman EdgartownHow many more accidents do we need to have before accidents are banned...
It's not the business's fault
Very Annoyed Vineyard HavenIt's not the business's fault, it's the person renting the scooter (not moped). People do not have the necessary skills to operate it. The corner is a very dangerous, there have been numerous accidents, many fatal. I ride a motorcycle and skill set is much different than operating a vehicle. So for you, to blatantly blame the business, to LEGALLY RENT limited use vehicles, such as scooters. When it is the operator the the said scooter who could not properly control it. Put blame where blame belongs!!!
It is the responsibility of
Carrie VHIt is the responsibility of the moped businesses! They are supposed to make sure that moped users are tested before going out on the roads! Obviously they are not doing very well on their tests for folks wanting to use their mopeds! All they care about is money!
The tiny illegal test tracks
Debbie MagnusonThe tiny illegal test tracks do not give the poor moped riders any idea of what it's like to ride on our roads. I do not blame anyone or business. It's the ignorance of officials, who refuse to get them off the roads, always hiding behind "the State rules".
That argument doesn't stand
Allison Vineyard HavenThat argument doesn't stand up to closer scrutiny as evidenced by the fact that bars are held responsible for over serving alcohol if doing so causes harm to others. Also tobacco companies have been held responsible for their cancer causing product.
Those who rent scooters/mopeds have a responsibility in this matter. Even if it was the operator's fault.
There are multiple accidents
Equally annoyedThere are multiple accidents every season with these things. You need to practice extensively and get a special license to operate your motorcycle. No special license, no extensive training, no special test, and off they send people on these shaky little machines. To argue mopeds are not a problem is silly. If they weren't here, there wouldn't be this problem. It is a problem. Period.
I second your comment, it's
Here here Vineyard HavenI second your comment, it's the nature of the game that we need to change. If we aren't going to get rid of them totally, maybe only allow operator owned mopeds...If the driver is the owner of the moped at least the liability falls on the operator, not these island businesses allowed to continue this dangerous enterprise.
I give you that "shaking
Very Annoyed Vineyard HavenI give you that "shaking little machines"! There are better scooters out there which would give these inexperience riders a chance. The main issue is the day trippers think it's a "little island" and what fun it would be riding on this cute little scooter! I take pause that everybody wants to condemn the business owner first. Yes, there are in business to make money which fuels the local economy. Question: Instead of scooter rentals would you prefer another T-shirts shop or a high end exclusive shop?
It is the business's fault.
HughW Chilmark & New YorkIt is the business's fault. Surely a moped can be safe when ridden by a trained and responsible driver. But tourists come over for the day, almost all probably having never ridden a moped in their lives, and rent a moped with at best very limited training and sent out on unfamiliar roads. Even more, it's the communities fault for allowing these businesses to operate with minimal, if any, supervision. We talk about requiring helmets, we talk about requiring training tracks, we talk about weight limits for two riders....but at the end of the day, inexperienced drivers and island roads are a bad mix.
This circus will keep going
Ray Matthews TisburyThis circus will keep going on and on and on and on and on…
This us the second moped
Steve FslmouthThis us the second moped accident in the past several days, the other was reported in the mvtimes
If you ride a motorcycle as I
Licensed and insured rider Dartmouth mass. Former islanderIf you ride a motorcycle as I have for 30 plus years you should know that without a proper license to operate they shouldn't rent the Damn things
Been riding pretty much for
Don Macdonald West TisburyBeen riding pretty much for the better part of 50 years and you can get just as hurt on either one. Corners are a little difficult for a novice and yes a license should be required, not a 5 minute road test. I could go on.
Once again another summer
Suzy Oak BluffsOnce again another summer with a Moped Accident. A Moped IS a Motorcycle and it requires training and a license to operate it. Who exactly OK'ed the business of renting Mopeds without the
proper preparation?? Certainly there are indivuals that have agreed to allow the business to operate?? To say that Mopeds do not require much skill is the same as saying someone is "a little
bit Pregnant."
If you ride a motorcycle as I
Licensed and insured rider Dartmouth mass. Former islanderIf you ride a motorcycle as I have for 30 plus years you should know that without a proper license to operate they shouldn't rent the Damn things
How many more accidents do we
Kelly WTHow many more accidents do we need!! Please ban the mopeds!!!
And no pot growing factory's on the island...
I'd much rather have
Really? Up islandI'd much rather have perfectly legal and safe cannabis growing and selling than these little plastic death traps. Weed is far safer and healthier than alcohol, if you believe that then go after the bars and breweries. Get with the times and let people do as they please in their own time for recreation
There is a law in Mass. that
Dan murphyThere is a law in Mass. that states that 2 riders are illegal! How come this law isn't enforced on the island!
What law are you referring
Jay OBWhat law are you referring too? Passengers are perfectly legal on mopeds.
If you have any interest and
Year Rounder EdgartownIf you have any interest and/or love of the island at all; If you are a native, wash ashore, summer person, whatever... Our primary goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all that step foot here and into our "unique" environment . We have problems just like every other community does and thats for sure. Housing, drugs , middle class stability, the list goes on and on. But to have someone come here and have their lives tragically ruined by something that we can easily control is inexcusable. It is time to tackle the moped issue once and for all and the only way to do that is to change the Massachusetts law that would classify mopeds as a motorcycle. It's time .
Change in state law may be
Sylvia Malm Chappy/VirginiaChange in state law may be the best/only way. Can't happen soon enough, I have been hearing this discussion for nearly 50 years.. So sad for this couple.
Isn't that the exact location
Roger Becker ChappyIsn't that the exact location where someone, also not able to make the turn, was killed driving a moped into an on-coming car? Maybe about the time the bumper stickers started showing up.
That the state disallows the island to shut these rentals down, shows me they aren't being rented in Boston.
Wasn't this the same location
Sam Feldman ChilmarkWasn't this the same location as a young lady was killed several years ago when her she lost control of her rented moped and ran head on into a car. The first responders described the carnage which still haunts me.
How many more of these grisly accidents will our community tolerate?
They don't call it Hospital
Paul West TisburyThey don't call it Hospital Corner for it's proximity to the hospital...
A reasonable solution would
EH West TisburyA reasonable solution would be to limit the speed of rental mopeds. This inherently makes them safer-faster to brake, easier to turn, and less likely to skid out in sand. Not to mention that it makes them much easier to pass, by shortening the safe passing distance. And of course when there is a collision, the force is much less.
Imagine if rental mopeds were governed at 15MPH. Tourists could still go VH-OB in 15 minutes rather than 10, but they would be less likely to die doing so.
So they can go even slower
JohnSo they can go even slower and cause even more backups, illegal passing, collisions, and running off the road? No thanks
It's bad enough they go 25-30
RT wtIt's bad enough they go 25-30 on 45 mph roads. Any you are suggesting 15? I see a problem with that
If you ban rental mopeds on
Jorge Abellas EdgartownIf you ban rental mopeds on the island who will be hurt? A couple of businesses that could just as easily rent electric bikes, or cars or regular bikes? Why are we perpetuating this risk? Blaming the operator is disingenuous, everybody *thinks* they can safely operate a moped, and the rental businesses bank their livelihood on believing all their customers can safely use a moped regardless. It is time to stop this.
If we can't legally stop the
Kristin Zern West TisburyIf we can't legally stop the moped rental businesses we need to find affordable means of transportation for parties of 2 and more. Why don't we create affordable transportation including car rentals, for 2-5, SUVs with drivers for groups up to 6-7 and private mini buses for groups up to 12-15.
And yes, we might have to partially fund this. At 4pm I watched a flotilla of 6 or 7 mopeds each carrying 2 people, several of them little kids as young as 8. They were all at one of the gas stations on beach Rd getting gas. I don't recall that any of them had helmuts on. there is no way this groups drivers all had adequate experience driving mopeds. We need to provide affordable alternative forms of transportation for the many visitors who find mopeds an affordable and preferable form of transportation.
Take the bus
Island nativeTake the bus
I think part of the problem
Tami EdgartownI think part of the problem is tourists let their guard down when they visit. They mistakenly think that nothing can possibly happen to them here on this beautiful island! It's scary and sad that this happens nearly every summer. I don't know what the solution is but I hope the powers that be come up with one soon. In the mean time, hoping and praying for complete recoveries for this couple.
ps As an aside, Ms. Vanderhoop is the hospital's spokesPERSON.
Tourists let their guard down
Calvin E Salline Hebron, CT EdgartownTourists let their guard down? Come on be real, if they had a brain most leave it at home or at best leave it in the Steamship parking lot. Want to take a survey of tourists that face traffic and those that walk in the middle of the road with their back to the right of way of the road? Surprised that there are not more tragedies here.
Change law to make it
R Scott Patterson EdgartownChange law to make it required to have a motorcycle license to ride a moped. This will end the rental business overnight and as a result save lives.
Thank you, Nicole Brisson,
Debbie Phillips West TisburyThank you, Nicole Brisson, for all your work and dedication in the past year plus to change horrible accidents like this. Heartbreaking that it continues and hope you know that someday, someway the groundwork you laid will matter.
Thanks to the police and emts
Sam Warber EdgartownThanks to the police and emts who show up to these accidents and put the community first. Seeing these accidents can't be easy on them. Ban mopeds.
Mopeds are for lazy people.
George Anderson EdgartownMopeds are for lazy people. Bikes are for the fit!
REALLY????? Such an
Theodora EdgartownREALLY????? Such an inappropriate comment for a very serious issue.
It's ridiculous to allow
Carolyn ChilmarkIt's ridiculous to allow mopeds on narrow and/or crowded roads that barely accommodate vehicles. The other night while heading to Edgartown on State Road, a Land Cruiser was on my bumper pressuring me to pass two mopeds when it wasn't safe. Or I love when cars passing mopeds swerve into my lane instead of waiting until it's clear to pass. I've been hearing this argument since I began coming here nearly 35 years ago. If you can ban fast food restaurants and traffic lights, you can ban mopeds.
Might be time for the Gazette
Marty Milner TallahasseeMight be time for the Gazette to publish a running total of the financial costs of each accident from time of impact to rehabilitation. Include the cost to emergency services and medical care. Just list the dollar amounts. That is what crippled tobacco- demanding that the medical costs be covered. There is no free lunch- especially if the actual lunch cost is totaled weekly in the paper.
This local paper gets the
Clarke Wainer MysticThis local paper gets the news out fast.
Just an hour before this
Nancy HaydenvilleJust an hour before this accident I watched a woman loose control of the moped she was on while she was being instructed on how to drive it in VH. The person "teaching" her how to ride it didn't seem concerned and I wanted to yell " Don't Rent One if you want to leave the island in one piece"!!!!!!!
When is enough blood spilled
Louis VHWhen is enough blood spilled going to finally put a stop to this profiteering ?
Mopeds were introduced to the
Steve L ChilmarkMopeds were introduced to the Island almost forty years ago at a time when there were few practical alternatives. Now we have great public transportation available to all at a reasonable price. It is time to declare the rental moped no longer relevant and move on.
WHY DOESNT EVERYONE DO
DO SOMETHING Oak BluffsWHY DOESNT EVERYONE DO SOMETHING LIKE SHOW UP AT A TOWN MEETING??? PROTEST AT THE PLACE OF BUSINESS! HAND OUT FLYERS OF ALL ACCIDENTS/DEATHS AT THE BOAT???? SHOULDNT WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND DO SOMETHING INSTEAD OF JUST TALK ABOUT IT???
Agreed. We could stand in
HR VHAgreed. We could stand in front of these establishments and hand out flyers educating prospecter riders about the accidents, injuries, and deaths on the island in recent years. I'm curious if there is a law about age requirements for passengers on mopeds? Last week, at adventure rentals in VH, I saw a family renting multiple mopeds. One of the children could not have been more than 10 years old. Two riders is absurd. Especially a child who could not possibly understand the risks.
1. So far, mopeds are still
Kate Tisbury1. So far, mopeds are still legal.
2. Only one person should be allowed per moped.
3. There is a bike shortcut through the hospital grounds at that corner.
4. Moped dealers (also bike rentals) should red-flag that corner to renters and tell renters they must ride or push their mopeds through the bike shortcut.
5. It should be more clearly signed and it should be made a legal obligation to use it. A webcam in position would record any who do not.
6. ASAP the state must require a license to drive one of these things. I wouldn't dream of getting on one. I don't know how to drive it. I prefer my bike, the bus, or (best of all for seeing the Vineyard) a combination of the two.
7. How about the idea of creating a special bike-and-bus pass for a bike rental and a VTA day pass. A nice "tour" of the Vineyard can be strung together using scheduled buses, allowing for biking around *at* different destinations, such as Moshup Trail, or out to Katama, or out to West Chop and back, etc.
8. Maybe some restaurants would throw in a discount on a special biker's meal on presenting the pass.
It is currently illegal for
R Scott Patterson EdgartownIt is currently illegal for mopeds to ride on bike paths so you would need change in state law for them to use hospital shortcut. Only law change needed is to require motorcycle license to operate a moped.
OK, I stand corrected
KateOK, I stand corrected regarding the cutoff at the Hospital.
But can't an exception be made? That corner seems to be a "hot spot"
and I sure avoid it when I am on my bike.
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