West Monroe (WSYR-TV) -- Two motorcyclists were killed in a crash Sunday in the town of West Monroe. Just 24 hours later, rescue crews found themselves at the scene of a second motorcycle crash in the same area.
The victim of that crash, 57-year-old Michael Bellomo is in serious condition at the hospital. State Police say a 17-year-old driver pulled out in front of him before the crash.
"He was probably more cautious than anybody else on this road. Every biker who came through here today was probably more cautious than anybody else on this road,” said Susco.
At a local biker shop, Andy Susco met fellow rider, Michael Bellomo for the first time Monday. They talked about the crash that killed two motorcyclists the day before at an intersection just down the road. Moments later, Susco’s new friend drove away toward the same intersection where a teenage driver pulled out in front of his bike. Bellomo survived with serious injuries.
"The intersection is flat and level at this area, good sight view. It's just people not seeing other drivers,” said Sgt. Brian Woodard.
That's the message from police and riders, like Carmella Brown, who owns a statewide motorcycle magazine. She spent the day spreading the word that drivers need to look out.
“We need to do something to educate the public because no matter what, we're dying out here,” New York Rider Magazine, Carmella Brown. "We feel it as an impact to our family, the whole motorcycling community."
Neighbors have seen other accidents here. Some want a lower speed limit. Others say a traffic light or turn lane would help. Attorney Ben Rabin believes driver awareness would have the biggest impact.
Attorney Benjamin Rabin told NewsChannel 9, "There's more than 7,000 accidents for motorcyclists every year in New York State and the majority of them are caused by drivers not obeying the local laws and in the over 4,500 cases I've represented, they've all been the fault of somebody else."
Susco recalls his final words with Mike Bellomo with the hope that they'll meet again to carry on the message together.
"He said, ‘Maybe I'll stop back down next week.’…but from what I've heard, I'm not going to see him next week,” Susco said.
Motorcyclist Robert Hoke, of Westernville and a passenger, Lisa Staple, of Rome, were killed in Sunday’s crash.
