54-year-old Motorcyclist Injuried While Trying To Avoid City Garbage Truck

Photos: HNG/HNNUSA

Motorcyclist hurt after dumping bike to avoid hitting City of Milwaukee garbage truck.

By H. Nelson Goodson

May 29, 2013

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Jesus "Chuy" Atilano, 54, was driving westbound at the 2000 block of W. Morgan when he was injured around 1:40 p.m. after he dumped his motorcycle to avoid hitting a City of Milwaukee garbage truck that was making a wide right turn into an alley. Police at the scene said, the motorcyclist was injured after he jumped off and dumped his bike to avoid hitting the city truck. The city garbage truck was also heading westbound on the right lane and then change to the far left lane to make a wide right turn into an alley apparently blocking the biker's right of way. 

Atilano was behind the city truck on the right lane when he notice that the truck changed to the left lane. Atilano kept going on the right lane and when he was about half way of the right side of the truck, he noticed that the truck driver decided to make a right turn while Atilano was still between the right side of the truck and the right lane near the side curb. Atilano reacted by attempting to slow down, then jumped off and dumped his 1800 Honda bike to avoid a collision. The motorcycle slid multiple feet and ended up on the front right of the city truck. The truck still had its right signal on after hitting the bike, but Atilano was driving on the trucks blind spot and the driver might have not noticed him before making the right turn.

The motorcycle sustained minor damaged and a friend later drove it home from the accident. 

The motorcycle driver was taken to Froedtert Hospital for treatment. 

A police sergeant at the scene said, the driver will probably feel his injuries for several months, but is expected to recover. 

Also, an officer directing traffic at the corner of S. 20th St. and W. Morgan was slightly hit by a woman driving southbound on S. 20th, who tried to turn East on Morgan. The officer forced the woman to pull over and gave her a warning, but was not cited, according Jose Correa, 60, and Carmelo Correa, 49, who witnessed the incident.