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Latest Marine motorcycle fatality sets record

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Twenty Marines have died in motorcycle wrecks since Oct. 1, making this fiscal year the deadliest on record despite the Corps’ efforts to reduce two-wheel fatalities.

The latest fatality involved Gunnery Sgt. Michael Hoffman of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452, a Reserve squadron based in Newburgh, N.Y.

Hoffman died Saturday after the 2007 Honda motorcycle he was driving hit a curb, throwing him and his passenger, a 23-year-old woman, according to the Times Herald-Record. Hoffman and his motorcycle landed in an embankment. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

He and his passenger were not wearing helmets, according to a police officer quoted in the news article. Marines Corps policy requires Marines to wear helmets and other protective gear while riding motorcycles.

Hoffman’s death breaks the record 19 motorcycle fatalities the Corps recorded in fiscal 2007 and marks the fifth two-wheel death this month.

The fatalities fly in the face of new, stiffer private motor vehicle and motorcycle safety rules announced earlier this year. But Corps officials continue to press enforcing orders that require Marines keep their leaders informed and, at the same time, offer Marines a number of training opportunities.

“Any loss of life is unacceptable,” said Joseph Pinkowski, program manager for vehicles at Headquarters Marine Corps. “The Marine Corps is being careful to institute the right changes. We want to create a positive culture change regarding Marine Corps motorcycle riding.”

The Corps is instituting additional courses, and more instructors for those courses, across the board. That includes extra basic rider’s safety courses which all Marines are required to take when they purchase and register two-wheel transportation, including scooters, experienced rider courses and sport bike courses.

“The motorcycles on the road right now where fatalities are occurring, the vast majority of them are on sports bikes,” Pinkowski said. “We’re putting a focus on that to enable those Marines. We want them trained. We want them educated. We want to know who they are.”