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The Maryland State Director of ABATE was killed in a motorcycle accident August 30 by the driver of an SUV.

Here's the word from WBAL Radio and the AP:
"Crash Kills MD Motorcyclist Who Opposed Helmet Laws
Thursday, August 31, 2006
WBAL Radio and The Associated Press

An Eastern Shore man who was the state director of an organization that lobbies for the rights of motorcycle owners was killed while riding his motorcycle.

A sport utility vehicle struck Martin L. Schultz's bike Wednesday at an intersection in Easton, according to Maryland State Police. Schultz ran off the road and struck a telephone pole. He died at the scene. The SUV driver, Latasha R. Neal, 25, of Hurlock, was treated at Memorial Hospital at Easton and released.

Schultz, 44, of Newcomb, was state director of ABATE (A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments) of Maryland in Annapolis. The association's members, according to its Web site, "have joined together to advocate training as the foremost means to reducing accidents and injury, to put an end to discriminatory legislation, to communicate via a bimonthly newsletter, to explore ways to improve the overall motorcycling experience in Maryland, and to provide for and assure a continuing freedom and affordability of motorcycling."

ABATE opposes mandatory helmet laws and has a "Helmet Law Protest Ride" scheduled for October.

State police said a helmet was recovered from the scene of Schultz's crash, but it was not immediately known if he was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident."

Sounds like the cager is getting off scot free, or at least the article doesn't mention anything pending. Tragic that he died.

I don't always mind when stories mention if someone is wearing a helmet because sometimes it proves that they aren't the be-all-end-all, but I hate how it is ALWAYS the last thing they mention!

I wonder how, and if the charge rate varies when a cager kills a cager, versus when a cager kills a biker in yet another senseless intersection accident? I have yet to hear a local news story involving a motorcycle, where they don't add on the obligatory helmet disclaimer.

Sorry to hear about this fellow losing his life.

JH

I feel that it should be your personal choice, if you wear a
helmet, or not.

I wear mine, I feel it's the least I can do to protect what
little brain I have left.

Unclee Charlie

No mention of fault or any circumstances other than "in an intersection" in that one, but they sure were sure to cover the helmet situation.

Just got a copy of the police report from my recent accident. The unliscened, uninsured, lady who ran a red light and broke both my ankles had THREE kids in the car with her. For those keeping score, I WAS NOT wearing my helmet. (Fine from the knees up! )

Sorry, this is a sore subject for me right now.

It is always sad to hear of a fellow rider being killed. I'm sure all of us have had close calls with motorists who "didn't see us". I wear a helmet most of the time, but I'm a ABATE member and support bikers rights to wear or not wear a helmet. My thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones for their loss.

This is a sad situation and it's likely to be used as an example by the pro helmet groups.

sorry to hear the loss. i would be happier to hear that abate was devoting more time to prosecute drivers that hit and kill bike riders. with or without helmets. my take on this is she should be hauled in for negligent manslaughter. the rider is totally unprotected. the same as a person on a bicycle or on foot. they don't make enough armor to take on a H2. I TOO AM A ABATE MEMBER. sorry for his family.

For him especially they have to bring it up. That is big news as much as if the president of the NRA was shot by a mugger. Somewhere they would say if he was carrying or not.

Its just sad, hate to hear about it.

That is a sad situation all the way around. I wonder why you never hear in the news that a switched on cell phone was found in the cage? Or the half eaten lunch splattered all over the steering wheel?