Update: Motorcycle-crash death is RI's sixth of 2009
1:35 PM Thu, Jun 18, 2009 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The police have identified the man who died in a Wednesday evening motorcycle crash as Jonathan M. Conway, 31, of East Providence. This was the sixth motorcycle fatality in Rhode Island so far this year. A preliminary investigation into the crash indicates that Conway was driving a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle north on Arlington Avenue around 9:33 p.m. Wednesday "at a high rate of speed" when he collided with a car at the intersection of Irving Avenue, Providence Police Sgt. Paul Zienowicz said Thursday morning. The police believe Conway -- who lived at 16 Ivan Ave. in Riverside -- may have been traveling more than 60 miles per hour, based on witness accounts and the 168-foot skid mark that his motorcycle left, Zienowicz said. The speed limit on that stretch of Arlington is 25 miles per hour, Zienowicz said. The intersection where the crash took place is in a residential neighborhood on the East Side of Providence. Arlington Avenue is the eastern border of Aldrich-Dexter Field on the Brown University campus, and Irving Avenue ends there, in a T-intersection with Arlington. The woman driving the car -- Providence resident Laura Delgado, 26, of 175 Governor St. -- was visibly shaken and was attended to by Providence rescue crews, but she refused medical treatment at the scene, Zienowicz said. Conway was not wearing a helmet, Zienowicz said. He was thrown from the motorcycle, and his body crashed into the car, according to the police. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation, including work by the accident reconstruction crew during daylight hours on Thursday at the crash scene, Zienowicz said. The first of Rhode Island's six motorcycle fatalities this year was April 17. In a state where fatal motorcycle crashes more typically happen on weekends in August -- a time with the best weather and, therefore, the most motorcyclists on the roads -- six deaths by now is out of the ordinary, said Despina Metakos, the motorcycle safety coordinator for the state's Department of Transportation. Four of those fatal crashes were single-vehicle crashes. "Historically, our crashes -- the majority of them -- have been single-vehicle crashes, which means the driver at some point made a fatal error or made a decision that cost him his life," Metakos said. The statistics show motorcycle drivers riding too fast, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or simply not driving safely, she said. In April and May, the DOT's motorcycle safety division aired television and radio ads urging motorists to take caution near motorcyclists and to try to shatter the myth that motorcycle riders are "the renegade biker gangs of the past." Next month, Metakos says, new advertisements will be geared toward the bikers themselves, with this message: Wear appropriate gear -- helmets, even though state law only requires drivers who have gotten their licenses within the past year and passengers to wear them; jeans, leather jackets and gloves, and boots -- all of which provide additional coverage if a biker crashes. And make smart choices, Metakos said. "You know you shouldn't be driving your sport bike 140 miles per hour on the Thurbers Avenue curve, and you know you shouldn't be dodging in and out of traffic ..." she said. "So take some of the variables out of the equation. Slow down. Put your gear on. Enjoy the ride, but do it safely." The original version of this story was published at 7:03 a.m. and was updated at 8:53 and 9:36 a.m. 
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Hopefully, the city will now have stop signs put up on Arlington Avenue. People drive very fast on this street all day long. It is a residential neighborhood being used for quick access to other neighboring streets because people don't have to slow down at stop signs.
Kathy (I live on Arlington Avenue and was at the scene of the accident).
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We all love you Big Jon. You will be missed!!! We will make sure that JJ and Jax remember their Daddy!! I know you are in heaven tickling Nonna!!
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It was just a matter of time before someone was going to die on Arlington. Ever since the highway construction this area has become cut through to Pawtucket and to Thayer and Hope streets. The community has at numerous times spoken with police about setting up more patrols for speeding. It is unfortunate that someone racing down the road lost his life to his own stupidity and the lack of Chief Essermans (who lives in the area of the accident)diligence of speed patrolling. The police are quick to ticket overnight parkering but the focus should be on speed patrols.
Also another black mark for the Mayor who spent money re branding the city instead of making the roads safer for residents and visitors.
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Although I didn't know you, I'm also a Harley rider, my heart and soul go out to you and your loved one's, especially your wife and children who'm I'm so sure cherised there daddy.... me, Anthony, and Smitty from work were very saddened from this horrible news this morning and we know Ray is up there watching over you now with The Lord....Godspeed brother.........Mike.. :(
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We are so sorry that something like this had to happen to any one. We will miss you.
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This is a terrible tragedy and awful to hear, I haven't seen you in years but remember all the great times working with you and how nice you and Angie were to a young kid when I hung around with you guys. You will be missed Big Jon you were a great guy and a good friend.
Mike Scagos
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A sad accident yes, but totally preventable.
Witness accounts and a 168 foot skid mark makes this reckless driving and driver irresponsibility.
No need for stop signs, black marks for the Mayor or no need for saying someone was bound to die on that street, blah blah blah.
If driver irresponsibility wasn't added to this mix he would still be alive.
A 168' skid mark is almost the distance between 6-7 houses and if he was driving the SPEED LIMIT he would have had way more than enough time to see, react and come to a stop.
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We are going to miss you Big Jon....You were the best.
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To the Conway and Loomis Family -
Our deepest and sincerest condolences to all of you in the loss of your cherished son Johnathan. I remember him from childhood and he was always a great person. May god help you through such and untimely loss and help you heal over time.
On behalf of Scott and the rest of the Travers family may God Bless all of you and John's little boys and wife.
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my husband and i are also fellow bikers , very sad accident, but everyone has to stop trying to figure out who's a blame, i sometimes say to myself everything happens for a reason. and god needed john for a bigger purpose. feel very sad for family and friends, just remember to johns children, your dad is always with you, and watching over you, always hold him in your heart,he'll still always be there, my symphathies.
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my deepest condolences to all of you in the loss of Jon
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Angie, we may not have seen each other as much as i would have liked. But when we did see each other they were fun times. I'm so sorry for you loss, Johnathan was very loving, and out going. Jon warmed up to every-one. Jon will be missed. Our prayers go out to you, and the boys. Love Lory Parker and Jared
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I have known John for a long time. He was/is an absolute angel of a person. He will be deeply missed and my heart and prayers go out to his family...See ya in heaven bro.
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