Novice Motorcyclist Crashes Through Sturdy Steel Fence

SAN ANGELO, TX — A man who described himself to police as a novice motorcycle rider crashed through a steel fence built around the parking lot of River Ranch Apartments at 4225 S. Jackson St. around 2 p.m. on Friday.

The rider sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to a local emergency room shortly after authorities arrived at the scene.

According to police reports, the driver could not recall how the accident occurred or how he breached the sturdy fencing. A companion, who was believed to be riding with him, stated that he did not witness the crash. The friend had driven ahead and when he lost radio communications with his friend, he rode back and found the crash.

Although the incident took place on private property, officers are investigating the status of the rider's insurance and motorcycle endorsement on his driver's license. That evidence left the scene with the crash victim in an ambulance headed to Shannon. For now, police are chalking the crash up to a case of "whiskey throttle," or the new rider forgetting to let up on the gas to slow down.

The motorcycle was found damaged on the opposite side of the fence, which appeared to have a clean, impact-created hole from the collision.