Motorcyclist airlifted from bypass

A fender bender at the intersection of Spring Street and the bypass Friday night set off a chain of events which left a motorcyclist seriously injured when he was sandwiched between two cars.

The injured motorcyclist, Carl W. Surles Jr., 44, is under treatment at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga after he was airlifted from the bypass by LifeForce helicopter.

According to preliminary police reports, a four-car accident had just happened at the intersection of Spring Street and U.S. 70 Bypass around 6 p.m. Friday, prompting traffic to slow down leading to the red light. Surles, who was in the eastbound lane of traffic, was in the process of braking his motorcycle when he was hit from behind by a 2002 Nissan Altima driven by Kathy E. Vasquez, 43. The impact knocked the cyclist forward and into the rear of a 1990 GMC van driven by Ronald A. Kiegler, 68.

Despite having two impacts, the wreck was not over for Surles as he bounced off the van and was hit for a second time by the Vasquez vehicle which was still skidding to a stop. The third impact threw Surles to the pavement.

Police say Surles was wearing a helmet, a fact which likely saved his life. No charges have been filed in connection with the crash, although the investigation continues. The bypass was closed for the better part of an hour because of the accident.