7/14/09 Bend
 
54-year-old James Gardner, who died after a bicycle accident, recently married in December. Gardner was riding a gas powered bicycle just two blocks from his home when he collided with a motorcycle on the corner of Empire Avenue and O.B. Riley Road after seven Monday night.
 
"The motorcycle was northbound on O.B Riley, and the bicyclist came off of empire," says Lt. Ken Stemkamp with the Bend Police Department.
 
Gardner was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, and police say he pulled in front the motorcycle.
 
"An OSP trooper was close in the area, and responded to render aid," says Stemkamp.
 
Gardner was taken to St. Charles Medical Center, later dying from his injuries. The two passengers on the motorcycle, a 41-year-old man and 38-year-old woman, were treated for minor injuries, and later released from the hospital. Friends say Gardner worked for many years as a ranger at Yellowstone National Park, living in a log cabin there. His wife described him as a man with a career of hobbies. Most recently he enjoyed working on his custom motorized bicycle.
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On Monday, 07-13-09 at 7:01 PM Bend Police and Fire department personnel were dispatched to a report of an injury vehicle crash involving a bicycle and motorcycle at the intersection of OB Riley Rd and Empire Ave.  Arriving officers determined that all of the involved parties had been injured in the crash.  Bend Officers were assisted in providing first aid at the scene by an Oregon State Trooper until fire medic units arrived.  54 year old James W. Gardner, who was riding a gas powered bicycle, was transported to St. Charles Medical Center with life threatening head and leg injuries.   He subsequently died from those injuries.   The 41 year old man driving the motorcycle and his passenger,  a 38 year old woman, were transported with non-life threatening injuries. Investigation determined that the motorcycle was northbound on OB Riley behind a Jeep Cherokee.  The jeep turned right onto NE Empire Avenue and the motorcycle continued north on OB Riley. Gardner who was operating a gas powered bicycle was westbound on Empire Ave and pulled into the path of the motorcycle. Gardner was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.  Speed and alcohol are not a factor in the crash.