This Is the Crazy Video of a Texas Motorcyclists Being Run Down by a Car
- Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:47pm by
Emily Esfahani Smith
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A Texas vet, who survived gunfire and bombs in Iraq, was run down on a busy highway as he was riding his motorcycle on the open road. Luckily, he survived:
A soldier returned to North Texas from Iraq only to end up in a fight for his life after he was involved in a motorcycle crash in Dallas.
A driver slammed into Army Cpl. Zacharie Perez from behind near the Beltline Road exit on the Dallas North Tollway as he was on his way home from work.
“I survived Iraq and almost died on the Dallas North Tollway,” he said.
Video from the North Texas Tollway Authority’s traffic camera shows the driver of a sport utility vehicle swerve to avoid running over Perez.
Watch the breathtaking video here:






















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Comments (119)
bumpbs
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:55pmMr. Obama,
This is why I drive my gas guzzling SUV. I want steel between me and the idiots behind and in front of me.
Report Post »Steel Awesome
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:42pmHow do we know that the driver wasn’t purposefully trying to mow down the motorcyclist?
Report Post »Wilkins
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:54pmMuch more likely to be criminal negligence (though won’t be charged as such). But to your point, a motor vehicle sure would make an awesome murder weapon. “Gee I just didn’t see him right in front of me, yer honour. He braked and I was way too close to stop and not paying attention”, mea culpa, three traffic tickets, pay higher insurance premiums for a few years. No jail time. No criminal record. Just can‘t teach driver’s ed or drive a school bus. Cool.
Gosh, I hope the gang bangers and disgruntled spouses don’t read this.
Report Post »Xplorer
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:15pmits a car, so its the drivers fault. if it was a SUV, we would not see the word driver.
I really hope our vet in North Texas will be okay with no long term disability.
Report Post »GBIsTheMan
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:11pmI’m really surprised that he survived! Get well soon Cpl!
Report Post »coggeshell
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:08pmThe guy ridding slammed on his rear brake (not a very good rider, see the smoke) use the front stupid, and the idiot driving was not paying attention. Still not a good day for ether.
Report Post »ArmyMedic91A
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:48pm@Coggleshell, Are you kidding me? Use your front brakes? You gotta be an idiot who has never been on a motorcycle (or a bicycle for that matter) to advise that kind of stupidity. What happens when you exclusively use the front breaks? I’ll tell you what, you end up flying head first over the handlebars. Especially when driving a motorcycle, you use the front and back breaks concurrently (simultaneously). But because the weight of the rider is concentrated over the middle to rear portion of the bike, they tend to lock up the back wheels and smoke when braking. I’ve been a licensed motorcycle rider for over 20 years, and if I followed your advice, I‘m sure I’d be dead by now.
Report Post »proliance
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 12:49pmCoggshell never said to excessively use the front brakes. You’re basically creating an argument that never existed and are arguing against it.
He locked his back brake. Bad thing to do. But once you lock your back brake you have to keep it locked until you’re stopped or you can cause a high-side.
If he hadn’t locked his back brake (and lost all steering control) he could have steered to the right of the car in front of him and prevented the accident.
Report Post »DAG
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 10:11pmI must respond.
ArmyMedic91A. Do you ride a motorcycle? I do. I’ve put over 96000 miles on just my current bike. I have always used the front brake. The front brake is your best bet at preventing a wreck. If you don’t use it, you may as well not use any brakes, since as you described it, the rear will lock up real easy. It takes a lot of pressure to cause the front brake to lock. You’d have to be able to crush a baseball in one hand to get that much pressure.
“ArmyMedic91A
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:48pm
@Coggleshell, Are you kidding me? Use your front brakes? You gotta be an idiot who has never been on a motorcycle (or a bicycle for that matter) to advise that kind of stupidity.”
I’m glad the rider is alive. It is idiots such as the one who hit him that are the biggest threat to motorcycles. I hope that driver has good insurance, because if I were that motorcyclist, my lawyer would be cleaning him out for me.
Report Post »lonewolf57
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:06pmHorrific for sure.It happens everyday,War vet or not.A traffic accident.It could have been anyone.FOX chose to sensasionalize it,complete with the details of his injuries..and the wedding proposal.
I feel bad for the guy,but life happens!
Report Post »Wilkins
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:44pmTake away the driving privilege for 5 years. People will start to get it. This was not an ‘accident’, this was a conscious decision to drive while impaired, distracted, or just too tired.
Honestly we’re so jaded when it comes to the danger of motor vehicles, and so casual in our acceptance of the havock caused by irresponsible and sloppy drivers who just don‘t care about other people’s children (yes, this hero and veteran is someone’s child). Nothing else in western society would ever be allowed to kill and maim so many people, due to bad or indifferent human behaviour, and just get shrugged off.
Terrorists are amateurs compared to the 10 percentile motorist. 9/11? Nothing compared to the interstate when it comes to killing Americans. Makes me wonder why we give Al Qaida so much attention.
If guns in the hands of the people were this dangerous, the FOUNDERS would’ve banned them!
Let’s remember to look out for one another.
Report Post »TOPOFTHEGAME
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:06pmLooks like he was hit by a Mercedes Benz, driver probably part of the RULING CLASS
Report Post »marcy
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:06pmI live in Texas, I have lived all over the US- Drivers stink here, my husband has a motorcycle, I will not get on the bike while we live here, talk about defensive driving, that’s the only way to drive here!
Report Post »ONE PIECE
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:05pmAdd your comments
Report Post »ONE PIECE
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:04pmI’m wondering if the driver was on the phone & if so if it can be traced. It’s illegal & you can face jail time.
Report Post »GBIsTheMan
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:04pmPeople screwing with their technology while driving??
Report Post »missmarie
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:04pmHow awful! It is a miracle the motorcycle rider survived at all! My thought and prayers go out to him for a speedy recovery. Congratulations on your engagement!
Report Post »not-a-lib
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:02pmA close look at the video shows that the biker slammed on his breaks pretty hard, even enough to produce some smoke… I looks like everyone in the lane was stopping pretty fast.
I’m sure it was just an “accident”… no need to castigate the driver of the car…
Report Post »not-a-lib
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:07pm@ the Blaze,
the headline “Run Down by a Car” seems a little misleading; it implies malicious intent… I hardly thingk that’s the case.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:09pmDunno, I was about to retract my previous harsh words, but…. is that from the brakes or the exhaust? It seems pretty evident through the whole episode — granted it’s very short. Also, the driver is definitely OUT THERE. Even if all he saw was the car AHEAD of the bike, he is still going so fast he plows into that car — sorry, no, that guy needs a whuppin.
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:18pmThe car never slowed down! When the car struck the bike it lifted the front end of the car, that ,to me indicates that the car never hit the brakes. I wish the video were clearer, I bet it would show the driver talking on a cell phone That would be negligence, not an accident..
Report Post »not-a-lib
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:19pmI watched it again; He’s totally skidding! But you’re right, the driver of the car should have been more alert.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:20pmBut then he seems to keep going thru the motorcycle into the car in front. A problem.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:01pmJeebus Friggin Xmas, the stupid basset that did that only got three citations? How about some criminal negligence? Any colors involved — was this a “hate crime”? I know it’s hard to tell, but that looked almost deliberate.
Reminder #1 kiddies — that’s why we wear helmets and the rest of the gear. Do not even straddle that ride without everything on your body, even if the key is not in and you are just posing for a photo. Live to ride, ride to live, etc…….but LIVE.
Report Post »D0ntTread0nMe
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:01pmwell thats the weirdest way I ever heard of to get your girl to marry you.
Report Post »http://www.mythoughtsfromthemiddle.blogspot.com
Rob
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:59pmRiding a motorcycle on a highway is STUPID! Wanna play risk your life?… then you risk your life.
Report Post »TheBees
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:26pm@Rob, That is the stupidest comment I’ve seen on The Blaze in a long time!!! Bike have just as much right to the road as cars!!! If that’s all you can come up with then SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!!!! DUMBASS!!!!!!!
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:29pmRiding a motorcycle can be dangerous, but the people driving cars and running over motorcyles seem to be the stupid ones to me. The most feeble excuse I’ve ever heard is; “Honest officer, I didn’t see any motorcycle.”
Report Post »not-a-lib
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:34pmthebees…
you made me laugh, thanks.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:17pmROB- the way gas is going, thanks to the fed and or prez. you may be on a scooter or bicycle soon !!!!
Report Post »proliance
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:16amIf there weren‘t people like you who don’t think motorcycles are real vehicles there wouldn’t be a problem.
Report Post »DogWithA_Bone
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:58pmThank you Sir for your service to our country.
Report Post »Your service means a lot to me and my family.
We are able to be here doing what we are doing ONLY because
you volunteered to do what you are doing.
Know that we are not wasting our freedom that you provide.
May God bless you and keep you in His arms
as you bear arms for our country.
TumbleBumble
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:57pmOnly by the grace of God did he survive.
Report Post »Conkuur
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:55pm@THEJACKAL I wouldnt doubt it!
Report Post »Rumrunner3
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:54pmTexting
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:33pmI wonder if they typed OMG?
Report Post »not-a-lib
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:41pmIt was probably, OMGITIATHTBIFOM
(Oh my gosh! I think I’m about to hit this bike in front of me)
Report Post »Cherynn
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:54pmAll I can say is ouch. My prayers are with you!
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:54pmGet Well Soon Cpl. Perez. And Thank You for your service.
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:53pmdrunken
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:02pmGo away little troll. We don’t need your kind here. Shoo. Shoo!
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:03pm“Hear.”
yw
Report Post »not-a-lib
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:10pm“Here”… you WERE right the first time…
Report Post »bobodu
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 7:26amIf it wasn’t for trolls breaking the awful monotony and litany of the same, you would just have one big circle jerk.
Report Post »59 Fender Pro
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:53pmThat driver should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!
Report Post »woodydad
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:04pmApparently he was, with 3 traffic tickets. I don’t ride but I have dear friends who do and I worry for them.
Report Post »DANO509
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:13pmHolder will take care of it
we can trust him—-right—-RIGHT!!!!!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:29pmBut the lizard will give him a great deal on auto insurance.
Report Post »Wilkins
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:31pmHe survived Iraq but nearly died on a Texas highway. This is not a surprise. In the western world we kill far more people on the roads than we do in war, to our shame.
The driver got three traffic tickets? Driving distracted, drunk, or just asleep at the wheel? Driving’s a privilege, not a right. When are we going to take the responsibility seriously?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:53pm@Darmok:
Lizard? I was thinking along the lines of a sixteen foot Komodo Dragon with a bad temper that has not eaten for many a month.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:52pmThink we will find out the accident involved texting on a cell phone. Car didn’t swerve at all before it hit him!
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:52pmI’m sure the driver was a druken illegal immigrant. I here they are rampant in the area.
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:04pmDrunken Illegal Immigrant talking on their cell phone.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:09pmOr texting, or putting on makeup, or making a sandwich, cooking a turkey, could have a TSA agent giving them a special patdown, any of those things could have distracted the driver. But it was ultimately the Motorcycle drivers fault, if he had just stayed home, this would have never happened. *sarcasm off”
My prayers are with him and his family. I do hope a speedy recovery.
Report Post »brianhks
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:09pmThere is always more to the story. If you look closely there is smoke coming off his back tire. If I were to guess he wasn‘t paying attention and didn’t see the traffic stopping up in front of him. He brakes his bike hard skiding the back tire, the person behind didn’t see it either and is braking hard as well, you can see it’s nose dive down. For good or bad the bike can stop quicker so the car catches up to the bike. The guy is lucky he didn’t get sandwiched between the two cars.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:10pmWould make the most since, since there’s a bunch. “I love Emigrants, I hate Immigrants” spend your money then leave.
Report Post »theonefromabove
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:11pmThey must have been drunk.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:23pmCpl. Zacharie Perez, THANK YOU for serving OUR Country!!!
I hope the driver that hit you has insurance…he’s going to need it.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:27pmmaybe that guy was a 911 truther ?
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:27pmKinda like the Sonny Bono Skiing accident
Report Post »chickenlittle
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:28pmI agree with Brian (above comment)… I also note that at freeway speeds they are ALL tailgating in the far left lane. Live by the sword sort of thing here… what do you expect to happen. No sane biker would get in that sandwich situation in the first place. This was just an accident among aggressive drivers.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:33pmI pray the man will be alright and have a full recovery, swift and complete from the mercy of God.
@darmok:
Seen your posting earlier on a different entry about the new character counter. Love it too; hope it will keep the ‘sermons’ from occuring, which I have done also on occasion. And yes, some posts of mine do get pulled as well for being off topic, at the bottom of each article there is a Comment Policy link which helps outline the new specifics of the sight.
I also have posted at the Site Support for a clarification of what is acceptable and not, for I want to make absolutely sure of it before doing anything wrong. I love the Blaze sight too much.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:35pmIt is incredible that the fact, here he survives Iraq and nearly gets killed here at home. And yet I still recall one of the Mercury 7 astronauts – Allen Shepherd I believe, who soon after his return to earth slipped in the bathtub and nearly cracked his skull.
Praise be unto God for him staying alive.
Report Post »Hungry_i
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:39pm@BrianHKS
I agree—I think that’s exactly like what happened.
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:41pmThey are rampant here in South Jersey. Illegal, no DL, no ins (natch), no registration. Nothing .They have NC, Pa, and and sometimes tags from some midwest states. Absolutely ridiculous and infuriating to me.
Report Post »I can’t say its only the Dems fault, unfortunately. The Repubs are just as guilty of not closing that damn border.
decendentof56
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:45pmI’m sorry. Thats attempted murder. I ride, and though I’ve had no problems for 35 years, there are some who hate M/C’s. The punks and guys with no mufflers give the pro’s like me a bad name.
Report Post »America has a whole different attitude towards M/C’s then do Europeans. Probably the only good thing I can say about Europe.
glennisright.com
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 10:56pm…in a stolen car,with stolen identity, and the victim taken to the emergency room and has to wait due the illigal alien line.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:12pmi ride a harley 24/7………i was rear ended buy and illegal immigrant at a stop light comming out of walmart, little fender damage and no injuries , however it wouldn’t have happened if the border was secure……………now the prez want to issue and exec.. order to legalize them………………10 million more are on the way !!!!!
Report Post »Enuff Zenuff
Posted on April 26, 2011 at 11:15pm.
Report Post »@brianhks
Excellent comment and analysis. I agree with everything you said except the part about bikes stopping faster than cars… I’m pretty sure I read in Road & Track once that most cars can stop much faster than most motorcycles, (while most bikes can out-accelerate most cars). I think their point was that when a biker is behind you, try not to stop too suddenly as you may be able to stop quicker than they do. Since reading that, I always allow more following distance ahead of me when there’s a biker behind me – in case we need to stop quickly, I can do so more gradually.
Jediusetheforce
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 12:03amKeep doing drugs and thats what happens. Lose your license and go straight to jail without a free pass. About the marriage deal…she is going to marry something that doesn’t work.
Report Post »MyPostingName
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 12:05amRead Brianhks’s post, he’s right on. The Motorcyclist was breaking really hard, you can see the rubber smoking and the bike swerving slightly as he does his best to stop. Notice the cars in front of the bike are moving much slower and neatly tightened lined up like a stoppage. We have all experienced immediate traffic stop and go traffic on the highway. Both he and the car behind him were not paying enough attention, happens a million times a day. This time occurring in an accident! The motorcyclist has much greater stopping power then the car. The biker could of veered in between the cars or onto shoulder for maximum safety maneuver, just didn’t think of it i suppose. If you find yourself in this predicament let this video be a lesson on how to better adjust your driving in this scenario which we are all familiar with. One side not he was extremely lucky he fell right of the front car and not left or he would have been killed for sure. I would like to also point out how the sensationalist journalists did not even talk about any of these obvious observations in the video, maybe its not in the clip. However, they are playing war veteran vs “regular” American heart strings for there network to seem “Compassionate” . This has got to stop. All that matters are the facts not the sensationalism of we made happy feel good news for the public today by adding in the touching his fiance said yes today to make things so wonderful crap. Great he’s ok, nice he’s getting married but, why are you ignoring all of the facts of the video to exploit the public’s heart and stir up false accusations against the trailing driver and propping up the motorcyclist whom made the same mistake? THIS IS THE PROBLEM FOLKS. THIS IS THE TROUBLE OUR MEDIA HAS AND WE THE PEOPLE NEED TO PUT AN END TO. CASE AND POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »MyPostingName
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 12:22amI would also like to say some of you just posted a political view to be at the top of the page without even watching the video. Some watched the video but observed nothing, then posted. Some just took the heart felt feel good story and said a prayer or said you would pray. Some just spouted at the mouth. And others actually observed the video and listened to the report. Thank you Brian for being the first to get this story right. Your not alone buddy, but one of the view. Now for everyone take a moment to ask yourself did you look, read and listen for the Truth. Or did you not have control of your mind. body and soul when you posted. Think about it and try harder next time, that is all you can do to improve. Am I right or am I wrong, only one can answer that and I hope im getting better at this.
Report Post »TunaBlue
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 12:43amYour name should be Jacka$$.
Report Post »roachesneverdie
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 1:22am@calijohn
Report Post »All I can say to you is BuckOfama and I would pay to see Col Allen West square off against you in any venue knowing that you would lose within seconds, enough said, pinhead!
MyPostingName
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 1:43am@TUNABLUE
thanks for confirming your one whom spout at the mouth.
Col Allen West is a real Man.
Report Post »Nancy
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 2:32amI’m not sure if they were illegal..I heard on the news they didn’t have insurance and no drivers license. They victim had to pay for his injuries with his insurance.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 3:53amcalijohn – Is that all you got commie? LOL, good luck with that, you’ll need it.
Report Post »bobodu
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 4:52amHey oldguy49
Report Post »How do you ride a Harley 24/7 ??
Oh…maybe you mean 24 minutes on the road to every 7 days in the shop.
streetrodder
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 7:03amWhile rolling a joint.
Report Post »TwoLazy
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 7:36amDrunk illegal, talking on her cell phone while driving a welfare Mercedes Benz, apparently with no brakes on her way to the nearest hospital to deliver another anchor baby.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 7:46am@ brianhks
Report Post »If your accessment is right (about the motorcycle breaking fast and the car not being able to break fast ENOUGH), then it can’t be an illegal alien. They tyiacally drive 5-10 miles UNDER the speed limit to stay off the radar…I know I live in Texas. They figure they can‘t be pulled over if they’re not speeding.
SlimnRanger
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:28amThe main reason i refuse ever to go back to Dallas,to many crazy wild drivers ,the speed limit is not obeyed and the police setting there on hwy 75 just waiting for an accident thats going to happen ,i love Ft. Worth but refuse ever to go back to Dallas
Report Post »GODSAMERICA
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:29amI wonder if they would have come down harder on the driver if it had been any one else other than a veteran that they ran over.
Report Post »TheBlazeEncouragesMarijuanaUse
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 1:07pmJeez the ignorant moronic things conservatives say. Sometimes, I feel embarrassed to call myself an American because people around the world have a preconception that Americans are bigoted racist douchebags. Its like they say, not every Republican is a Racist douchebag, but every Racist douchebag is a Republican.
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 5:30pmSo then, TheBlazeEncouragesMarijuanaUse, you must be a Republican.
Report Post »junior1971
Posted on April 27, 2011 at 10:30pmHere is what they do. They sit around and try to figure out how to create negative reactions from potential viewers of this website. After much thought over a fat blunt, they decide to earn their money that has been given to them to enjoy the buzz. So they decide that if they monitor the stories and post their negative comments before others have a chance to, they create a lack of interest in the current story for the purpose of harming the website. Better yet, they anticipate that people will x-out of the wbsite all together and of course hope for it. You can always tell a troll by its lack of anything good to say. People beware of these negative thoughts. I think it was a troll driving the car, for they are the the real problem in our society.
Report Post »disque-0-duc
Posted on April 28, 2011 at 11:45amDrunken Illegal Immigrant talking on their cell phone — putting on makeup looking at herself in the visor mirror.
Report Post »Issachar Crust
Posted on April 28, 2011 at 4:15pmOle
Report Post »legal inmigrant
Posted on April 28, 2011 at 9:22pmhey jack ass check the vets name is Zacharie PEREZ
Report Post »you idiot. seems that PEREZ is the vet that just came back from war defending your sorry racist ass (hispanic last name)
i love idiots like you that lack some gratitude and intelligence, and quick to comment without even reading thru the article. i can give you some english classes AMIGO! and by the way if you are not native or at least descendant you are an inmigrant too!!!