Fatal motorcycle accident on 25th Street
A motorcycle accident in which the motorcycle rider died at the scene. occurred just after 12:30AM at the intersection of 25th and M streets. The Richmond Police Department Crash Team is investigating the incident.
Isn’t that the intersection with the traffic circle or roundabout that is supposed to make it safer? I’m really sorry to hear there was another motorcycle fatality around here, that’s a shame.
Police Investigate Fatal Motorcycle Accident (WRIC8)
I woke up to hear the motorcyclist blow through the light at 25th and Leigh and crash. I heard from neighbors that it was a pretty gruesome scene. He apparently collided (going 130mph)with the wire that stabilizes the telephone pole right in front of the East District Initiative Office. We heard alot of screaming as his family members arrived at the scene. I feel very bad for his family having to see that.
the motorcycle landed in front of my house (across the street).
the police were out until 9 this morning. there were lots of family members out throughout the night.
so sad for his family, but i would say, yet another reason for the police to be rethinking their chase policies
I drove by the crash scene after the police wrapped around it with yellow tape and did not know what was going on at the time. Later in the morning, around 2 am, gun shots were fired in the air at the intersection of 27th and O st which was pretty terrifying for me and my girlfriend. We called 911 TWICE and NOT ONE police officer showed for over one hour. I can understand the pain and misery one can suffer after a loss but it is absolutely inadmissible to put others’ lives in danger. AND WHERE WERE THE OFFICERS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT AND SERVE?????
Chris #6: I have a real problem when the police don’t respond to gun shots fired. Perhaps you could call 1st Precinct and ask to speak to someone higher up and make a complaint? I’m drawing a blank on the name of the officer in charge, but it’s somewhere on this blog on another thread, I think…I’d be pretty upset if I were you, and I don’t see anything wrong with pursuing it with a phone call up the ranks.
#4 teresa: in general, I agree about rethinking the chase policy – but where did you get the idea that they were chasing him? The way I read the post from John in #2, there’s nothing about them having chased him. The way I read it, he was hotrodding in the bottom and sped off. I don’t mean to disagree with you, it’s just that I don’t see where the cops actually chased him, perhaps he just continued with the hotrodding up to 25th St.
Chris, my husband and I also heard those gunshots as we are close to 27th and M. We were watching TV downstairs, and proceeded upstairs after hearing the shots. I must say, that I could not sleep fearing that more shots would come later. After five minutes passed, and we did not hear or see any police cars, we assumed that it was nothing. Early this morning, my husband did read that there was a shooting at the Have A Nice Day Cafe around 2:30 am. I am curious if those were associated with that incident. I believe that a VCU student was killed in that shooting.
Richmond Police have identified the rider of the motorcycle involved in the fatal crash this morning as Thomas U. Johnson, 27, of the 900 block of North 27th Street, Richmond.
I was woken up by a motorcycle speeding up Broad and could tell that it didn’t stop at the stop signs at the corner of my block. About a minute or two later I heard a police car speed up the hill with the sirens going and blow another siren (I could tell the police car wasn’t stopping at the stop sign, either). It didn’t seem to me that the police was chasing the victim through Church Hill–I actually was looking for my phone to call police because I could tell they were speeding through the neighborhood with no regard to the stop signs. Very scary.
I guess I made the assumption he was being chased because why would he still be traveling 130 mph? My apologies if I was wrong. There were actually two sets of gunfire last night. I assumed it was related to the accident on 25th.
this happened just infront of my house! he was being persued before he crahed by at least two police cars at high speeds. Before the smoke even cleared there were easily 4 more cars that pulled up. At first i thought i heard a gunshot but then assumed it was a sound from the impact. The police on the scene were not acting like a gun had been fired at that scene.
Thank god no innocent victims were injured by this mans careless and selfish actions. what if he had struck a person just getting out of their car coming home from a hard days work!! apparently he did almost hit a biker.
CHRIS..im pretty sure like EVERY officer in the 1st precinct was at this crash last night. Some just standing around!
There was an incident at the other end of my block were a women colapsed after she realized she knew the victim. Another neighbor ran and asked me to notify some of the officers that this women had passed out cause 911 had not shown up!..so i guess there was some “stuff” for them to do.
teresa #11, no I think I stand corrected. Sounds like the police DID pursue him. I guess if he was going 130 mph they had to give chase, but I wonder at what speed the cops were going…and I agree totally, they really need to rethink their high speed chases! Not that that would have caused him to slow down if the cops went slower, though….
Real Tiny #10, thanks for the clarification. Sounds like the cops went flying up Broad St. heading east. (BTW, thanks for clarifying your name as Real Tiny of Church Hill!)
Chris and everyone else who heard gunfire, I don’t care if ALL the 1st Precinct was at the scene, I really think that someone who tried to call 911 still needs to contact 1st Precinct and make a complaint up the chain of command. I’d do it, but unfortunately I was not affected, I didn’t hear gunshots nor call 911, so I feel like my complaint would not be as valid.
i am a close friend of the family of thomas johnson. the police is responsible for enough deaths due to high speed chases.when will they get the picture!
Last weekend we heard what sounded like two motorcycles racing around the neighborhood at high speed. I don’t want to suggest that Mr. Johnson was one of these motorcyclists. Instead I mean to point out the fact that the accident last night was NOT the only time someone was speeding recklessly through this neighborhood without regard for anyone’s safety or well being.
well this man was breaking the law, evading police and putting INOCENT lives in danger. That is the most awful thing i can imagine someone doing next to cold-blooded murder!!
Im sorry but to blame the police is absolutely ignorant!
also i am pretty sure i have heard this guys passing my house very late at night on several occassions at speeds i cant even imagine! i have even said to muself “I CANT BELIEVE THE POLICE DONT STOP HIM!”
Are the police just supposed to let people get away with things cause they dont want to get engaged in a chase?
call me crazy but, I was taught that when a police car puts on his lights behind you while operating a transportation vehicle you are supposed to pull over.
what made him think he was any different?
and do you honestly think those officers wanted to have to chase him?
THANK YOU MARY ANNE, im glad im not the only one bothered by these previous incidents.
I just wish I would have called the police earlier – maybe it would have prevented this whole thing from happening. From now on I’ll be calling the cops the moment I get woken up by someone’s bullshit.
@Chris Those shots woke me up as I’m on the 600 block of 27th Street. Those aren’t the first shots I’ve heard the police haven’t responded to either. While I’m very sorry for this young man’s family, it’s no excuse for RPD to ignore other emergencies in the meantime.
don’t you think they were not gunshots…but the sound of a crash only 2 blocks away? was it at 12.30?
do any of you even know the real facts behind the accident lastnight? obviously not! THAT WAS MURDER NOT JUSTICE! Get the real facts then blog back!
I was on the front porch on the 600 block N 27th at 12:30am. I didn’t hear any gunshots, but I was approached by an officer in his car who stopped to ask me if I had heard any gunshots. Sounds like they were responding to the report of shots fired. Just because they don’t come knocking on your door every time you call 911 doesn’t mean they aren’t doing their job.
if you had seen the terror and shock in that first officer on the scene’s face that i had, you would not even say such things!!
It sounds like the shots were fired at the block where the motorcyclist lived. Knowing that there were friends and family who were (understandably) very distraught, maybe someone fired into the air out of anger or sadness.
Just a late night theory.
for anyone not right there when it happened, the bike came up 25th street and crashed before there were ever any cops at the scene. the cops were way behind him. if they were chasing him, they were being really slow about it. it wasn’t murder or a cover-up. it was an accident. unfortunately, the speed was excessive and the bike just barely clipped the side of the traffic circle. the speed of the bike was incredibly dangerous for this neighborhood; it would have been easy for so many others to have been injured.
i live at the intersection of 25th and m st. it was a terrible sight and several prayers went out to him and his loved ones. though i do not want to diminish his passing, many in the neighborhood were relieved to find that no one else was hurt.
I fail to understand how any pursuit is the fault of the police. I am pretty sure that the cops do not make people flee. I’m sure that a motorist is supposed to stop for the blue lights. If you run sometimes you get away, sometimes caught, and saddly sometimes die. Its the choice of the driver to flee. If the police officer would have crashed then I would understand why it would be the fault of the police. But if the motorist decides to make a run for it and crashes, that should be on that driver. They make their choice to take a chance. And sometimes it doesn’t work out for them.
perhaps there’s a difference between making a mistake like not coming to a complete stop at an empty 4-way stop and riding a motorcycle 5 more than times the speed limit on 25th street. let’s be realistic! this is residental church hill – not the matrix.
anyone who zooms 130mph on a bike is a THREAT to anyone nearby. the way this incident ended is tragic- no one doubts that. i’m just wondering how this thread would read if say a young pregnant lady had been crossing M street the other night when all of a sudden she was hit by a speeding motorcycle. would it be right to say “she made a mistake”?
dmundlin PLEASE FILL THE REST OF US ON THE FACTS! many are interested in knowing why this simple mistake occurred. how, what, and why? i’m just a little confused in trying to understand why someone would go so far out of his way to endanger anyone nearby… sorry for your loss. please help your neighbors understand. we live here too. yea, we do.
how many of you even knew thomas? he was a real good friend of mine and didnt deserve what happened to him whether he was speeding or not!so how can you call someone a idiot that you dont even know. oh yeah “ignorance”! i know how you guys work on this site from the comments you all made when we were opening Inner City Blues. you make make your little comments and hide behind your codenames. RIP Thomas!
um yeah i was there!. Sitting at my window..the bike passed then the cops passed right behind him..the first two saw him crash.
he was clearly being chased.
Have some compassion Laura! Those kids just lost their father who may have been a very good provider for them while he was alive. It’s not the kids fault their Dad died. I do think it was irresponsible of someone who is the father of 6 to be racing around at 100 mph on a motorcycle knowing full well how easily those 6 kids could become fatherless.
#36 To Dmundin: My name is Mary Anne Conmy and I live at 2502 E Leigh. I supported Inner City Blues and encouraged you all to reach out to the naysayers by helping to rehab some elderly Church Hill residents homes through Elderhomes. You all never returned my calls and rebuffed every attempt I made to stop by and talk to you all and offer my help. Alot of the people on this blog legitimately care about their neighbors. Are you one of them??
Maybe if folks were willing to be a little less politically correct, things like this wouldn’t happen. Sorry that the message was not diluted. What kind of conversations are happening in these homes and churches? I certainly don’t believe they are ones that clearly state…YOU, AND ONLY YOU…ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OUTCOMES IN YOUR LIFE. I’m put off by those who are so willing to blame others and never admit that they are largely responsible for their mess of a situation.
mary anne i remember you and i have no problems with you whatso ever. my comments are to those who had negative things to say about a friend that i lost.and for the record we did reach out to people during that time we even went to the meetings.but that still never stopped the fact that when white people in this area see anything that goes on around there dealing with black people its always something negative being said or done. we’re not all thugs and drug dealing idiots,yes we make mistakes but show me one person that hasnt
dmundin, i personally respect your passion greatly.
however i dont see anyone on this board making this a race issue based on their posts.
dmundin, I am very sorry for your loss and appreciate the fact you are defending your friend’s memory. However, just like it is ridiculous to think all black people are thugs and drug dealers it is equally wrong to lump all of your white neighbors into one category.
im not saying that all the white people in this neighborhood think that way but i am saying a good bit do.i wouldnt speak on it if i didnt experience it first hand.ive met a lot of nice white folks during my time at inner city blues that i felt were genuine but i also remember being judged before anybody even knew us because we were young black guys opening a club in your neighborhood. i read the comments that were said about us, and i can deal with that but someone calls a friend of mine that i lost an idiot it becomes a bit more personal.
Quite a tragedy but the bottom line is this young man should not have been running from the police……period.
I’m tired of people making excuses for bad behavior. Apparently he must have been up to something and paid for it with his life.
Unfortunately he had to mess up the street and force local folks to see the horrific sight that will probably stay etched in their minds for a long time…….very selfish behavior on his part and he should be remembered as such!
LOL @ dmundin playing the race card. It doesn’t matter what your skin color is. If you run from the cops and endanger people in a residential area (my neighbors), you deserve what you get. If that means you end up dead, you will get no sympathy from me. Why is it that every time an idiot gets killed doing something retarded around Richmond, we see friends posting in the threads trying to start fights and claiming their buddy would never harm anyone. If your friend cared about the sanctity of life, he would not have risked his and others with this moronic stunt. Use your brains and think before you act.
BTW, it is even more disturbing this dude had 6 kids. Now the poor children are going to have to grow up without a father. What a selfish bastard. Think of your family before you throw your life away.
I remember when CH residents cared about each other wether it was bad shit that happened or good things!!! Cause everybody makes mistakes and shouldn’t be judged by them!!!
This is at least the 3rd or 4th high speed chase of a Motorcycle originating from Shockhoe Bottom into Church Hill that I have seen or heard reported. Most of these chases have been from someone dealing drugs, fighting, or shooting someone in Shockhoe Bottom and then racing up to Church Hill to outrun the police. Here is the question. What did Thomas do, that caused him to be chased by the police in the first place? While tragic and gruesome, the chase and his death are only the tail end of the story. What caused the police to chase him and for him to decide to speed 130 miles an hour through urban streets?
All he had to do was Pull Over.He made his bed now he can lie in it.
“Wow, this is what people talk about when they say ‘that’s too much excitement in that neighborhood.’”
Really, that’s the closer?
The gun shots were several (about 6 or 7) and differed from the sounds of a motorcycle crash or metal impact. i live on the 800 block of 26th st and i couldnt see anyone but could def hear people outside (in the back of my house) screaming and mourning the loss of the late young man. Again, a loss is a loss and remains unfortunate, but the unanswered 911 calls worry me the most! Are we under any sort of protection here??? or should we just leave this neighborhood as did others before us. I am simply saying this because I love it here and would rather the police to simply DO THEIR JOB and AT LEAST drive by when they receive emergency phone calls from endangered citizens
wondering if any of the people worked up enough to cuss and threaten other people on this post have the guts to tell everyone else what happened. you carry on and get worked up at your neighbors – your neighbors are concerned – communicate with them and maybe folks in church hill will have a better understanding of one another. no one wants to live in a place where people threaten others with guns or bikes or words. stop getting angry at things you can’t control… ALL OF YOU. you are either part of people getting to know one another and getting along or you are part of the problem. nobody “owns” church hill so stop making drama. everytime someone in this neighborhood gets hurt or killed in the neighborhood it effects ALL OF US, whether you live on broad street or nine mile, whether you rent or own, whether your family is from virginia or new york, whether you have family or just friends here.
Dear Dakeita, I understand the pain that your family is going through right now, and my prayers are with you and your family. But the reality is that your cousin place a lot of other people lives in jeopardy, my life being one. I was on my way home from having dinner with a friend when I heard the sirens. I thank god I decided to turn down 26th street instead. That turn could very well be the turn that saved my LIFE! The story could have read a total of 12 children have lost a parent. I am thankful that my husband and Kids are not feeling the pain that your family is feeling today. But the stress that I am feeling is awful, I am over whelmed and very tired. A few weeks ago a very dear friend of mines lost his life to this same kind of BULL SHIT! I have a lot more I want to say, but I am trying to hold it together.
Thanks John for CHPN, this is the first time I shared my feelings, I have just been sleeping .
I have had the opportunity to know Thomas while he was living and yes he was a good guy. He was a guy that made a mistake like we all have done. It is know one’s responsibility to cast judgment on him. For one to call him a bastard or an idiot is so cruel. You can make comments that are not selfish and disrespectful to the one’s who cared for Thomas. This blog has made my blood rage with anger at how cruel people actually are. I pray that the individuals who have posted these disrespectful comments do not have to go through what his mother, father, kids, aunts, uncles, etc. are going through. I also hope that the individuals who had to witness this incident can find peace with this situation for it was a horrible thing to see, because I saw it myslef. Dakeita my heart goes out to your family. For those of you who don’t know he was a good person, who took care of his family(never mind what age he became a father). He was giving and always full of laughter. He will always be remembered for these reasons. He made a mistake and i’m sure i’ll bet my han if he could change what happened that night he would. But he’s gone now and I hope that this site could show some respect and compassion because it’s so hurtful to read these insensitive comments. What is the purpose of your site because if it is community togetherness, from what I have read you all have a long way to go. Whatever happened to sorry for your loss he was your neighbor borned and raised in churchill. You hang someone for making one mistake when we all have things that we need to deal with.Rest In Peace Thomas, I will always remember you and love you may your spirit rest in heaven.
Hey folks,
I’ve taken the unprecedented step of weeding out the highly acrimonious comments from this post. If you’ve got any comments about that, hit me directly at murden@gmail.com.
R.I.P. Thomas and yes he was a good man and an even better father to his children. He is the father of my three niece and she really dont understand that her father isnt coming back but she do know he is gone. Everybody want to point the finger but dont really know what or how the accident happen. My sister is real hurt from the accident so can everyone keep the negative comments to yourself. His family and friends are going through enough right now. His kids are the only kids suffering either. My nephew is still in shock and havent spoken since sat. If not for the family do for the kids, if you dont have nothing nice to say dont say nothing at all. Thank you!!
WOW~ITZ AMAZING HOW OTHERS BE QUICK TO SPEAK ON ANOTHER B4 THINKN WISELY, THE WORDS OF A FOOL SHOULD NOT B TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND ANY ONE WHO SPEAKS ON ANOTHER PERSON DEATH UNWISELY IS THAT OF A FOOL, IF YOU COULDN’T SEE THE COLOR OF ONES SKIN JUST LISTEN 2 THE WORDS THAT COMES OUT OF THEIR MOUTH 2 KNOW THEIR HEART. WE ALLL WILL DIE SOME DAY, SO NEVA 4GET THAT B4 YOU USE A TRAGEDY OF SOMEONES ELSE LIFE 2 JOKE OR NAG ABOUT,SPEEDN IR NOT SPEEDN BLACK OR WHITE, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN YOU, THIS COULD HAVE ME… IF THE SHOE FIT B FREE 2 WEAR IT, GOD LOVE YOU AND SO DO I.PEACE
What does it mean when a police officer is behind you with his lights flashing and a siren screaming? It means to pull over and stop, not speed up and try to escape, especially at 130 mph. This is not the fault of the police, they were just doing their job.
Sheba and others, I know many of us do regret your loss and would do or say nothing to disrespect the victim or his family. I know the police officers involved feel that way. There is a lesson here though, especially for young men. If you run from police, especially in a high speed chase, it may be a fatal decision. No matter what the underlying offense, it probably would not result in a death penalty. The chase might well be a death sentence. Again, sorry for your loss.
Very good point, David. There is no reason to insult the victim of this tragic accident. And there is no reason to blame the police for his death. if anything, I hope all of us now realize the danger of evading police.
This is the second traffic-related fatality in less than a month resulting from a high-speed chase:(
David, I am struck by how reasonable and thoughtful your response to this tragedy is. I would venture to say that, upon reflection, most folk feel the way you do.
As a community, we are sorry for this family’s loss and we hope other young men will respond by learning from his experience.
two women from Richmond Behavioral Health and an officer from the 1st precinct who was on the scene, just came to my door asking about “my mental state” after the accident.
they had a card with important phone numbers and a “second responders” pamphlet to give me as well. i shared my own thoughts about it and told them about the chpn and some of the discussion we had been having here about it. they are apparently going to everyone in the area.
not quite sure what to make of this but i told them i thought it was a nice gesture and thanksed them.
@Alison, I remember in the wake of the killing (as distinguished from a murder) on 22nd Street, second responders swept Union Hill in a similar fashion.
I believe it is part of RPD’s “Reset” program where they try to restore a sense of calm to a neighborhood that has recently suffered violence.
Chased or not chased, there are lots of motorcycles going way too fast all over Richmond.
the rpd crash team investigators came to my house this afternoon. they asked me to take them step by step through my actions as they noted them…kinda interesting.
i still cant understand a memorial, thats also on my house, for a person, that may have killed me with his disregard!!! call me crazy but this is regression!!
Before you judge someone you need to look in the mirror. You say that he put so many people lives on the line with the chase true. But he has paid for his mistakes with his life. Now how many of you have had a glass of wine and drove home? How many of you have partied in Shockoe Bottom all in the middle of the damn street wasted and drove home ?
How many of you had a designated driver? Guess what you have put all of our lives on the line whether we live in church hill or winsdor farms. How many times have you been late for work and drove a little over the speed limit whether it was a mile over or 5. Guess what you endangered all off us. How many times have you been on the phone driving whether it was twittering, facebook, checking you email or just texting. ONce again you have endangered us. How many times have you been trying to pick up something the kids dropped while driving to shut them up. Once again people
you’ve done it. So before you judge think of the things you have done and you cant say that you havent because I have lived in Church hill all my life and I am a working woman so when I drive down E. Broad St in the morning half of you barely stop at the stop signs. And if I happen to cut thru the neighborhood due to road repair I see half of you speeding thru or trying to cut a car off especially by Mc Donalds. Sad But True. My deepest sympathy goes out to my best friend Shellia and to all of his family.
I’m sorry but at 27 years old he knew better than to run from the police. And I don’t blame the police for doing their jobs in “this” situation. Whatever consequences he would have had by stopping and dealing with the police before it went as far as it did, would have been alot more sensible then endangering his life and the lives of others and in this case ultimately loosing his life. This goes back to what they teach you in grade school “for your every action there is a reaction” And in closing a ticket or citation, impound of the bike, a few days in jail and even a little hurt pride, all those things added together don’t equal loosing a life. I just think that at 27 years of age common sense should have kicked in and a smarter choice should have been made. To the family and friends of the young man “I’m sorry for your lost”
Sincerely a 27 year old Richmond Resident as well.
Im going to place blame on the rider for running, the cops for chasing, and the damn manufacturers that makes these bikes so powerful. For anyone that has never riden a sport bike, Getting to 130 happens alot faster and easier than you may understand. Most 1000cc bikes can hit 80+mph in 1st gear. My thing is, if it was apparent to so many people that he was being chased, why is the police department denying it until “further investigations”. The thing is in most cities police can’t pursue high speed because of apparent safety reasons, that’s why thier denying it. Two wrongs don’t make a right. The rider was already wrong for running yes, but by thier own standards they were wrong for pursuing at high speed. I ride too, and have been pulled over enough, but no matter what there is always an instant fight or flight reaction that happens. Sometimes you make the wrong decision. Sometimes you correct it VERY VERY FAST and do the right thing. But sometimes fear kicks in and something goes wrong very very fast. This chase could not have lasted more than a minute and a half at that speed. And unfortunately Thomas lost his life. Maybe he was show boating in the bottom. It happens. But maybe the city could work with riders to create a spot where we can hang and stunt and enjoy our bikes without being hasseled. And all of these damn cameras all over the place, hell photo his plates and send him a summons in the mail. And don’t think there are some cocky young cops that think they can do anything. There are some that get a rush from the speed too and will pursue for that reason. Riders and cops know a high speed chase on a bike will either end up with the rider getting away or going down. Lets be honest… we may make some noise thru richmond, but I’ll be dang if any of us would ride a city street at that speed WITHOUT a cop behind us. So then what happens? Nobody dies. But in truth everybody is never going to agree on this. So you folks hearing gun shots, remember you live in the hill top. It takes 30 seconds to bleed out, It takes 6+ minutes for most police to respond. Use your right to bear arms and protect yourself please… That goes for Black and White people!!! Ya’ll live together… ACT LIKE IT!!! And to the Family of Thomas, My condolences. But I believe everything happens for a reason. If it was his time to go, You can’t deny the Lord when he calls you back. Crash, gunshot, cancer, stroke. Thats life. Only guarantee is death. To all my riders, be safe and smart. To the cops, some of us aint smart, use your brain not your badge when picking your battles. Cops die in crashes too. Like someone else said, a loss is a loss. Lets try to minimize them. P-CE
Hey, Mark Holmberg with Channel 6.
I’m looking deeper into this story. I am trying to get in touch with Alison, or a witness who was on the scene.
Thanks. Contact me at mholmberg[at]wtvr[dot]com
254-3684
IT AMAZES ME HOW SO MANY INDIVIDUALS HAS SO MUCH 2 SAY ABOUT SOMEONE ELSES
LIFE” SO CARELESSLY, AS FAR AS THE COMMON SENSE WOULD HAVE TOLD HIM, GET A LIFE THIS MAN HAS LOST HIS, A FAMILY HAS LOST A LOVED ONE. THERE’S LIFE AND DEATH IN THE POWER OF THINE OWN TONGUE SO “PEOPLE” REGARDLESS OF COLOR STOP JUDGING OR SPEAKN ON ANOTHER HUMANNNNNN BEINGS LIFE SO CARELESSLY, JUST BCAUSE IT WASN’T YOURS THAT WAS LOST~NSTEAD OF POINTING FINGERS, WASTN TIME NAGGGGGGN ABOUT THIS PUT BOTH HANDS 2GETHER AND PRAY 4 ALLL NVOLVED N THIS TRAGEDY.THANKYOU.”HE THAT IS WITOUT SIN OR FAULT CAST THE FIRST STONE……
oh gosh no one watch the news tonight! i hope i get completely edited out.
i do question certain facts about this incident after talking to the news. i think it is good that an, aparently pretty intensive investigation, is being conducted. either way he was being pursued, he knew it, and he was being reckless.
Alison, I like Mark Holmberg’s reporting a lot, he is generally very kind and quite fair, so I hope you are not edited out. Please don’t worry.
I’m actually glad that he’s doing a story as he is known as a very good reporter. I used to like his stories in the TD and now like his stories on the telly. Again, please don’t worry.
There is no place for the hateful comments I have read here. A family is in crisis now. The sense of community is what always made Church Hill such a great place to live. How can some of these commenters be so heartless?
oh i thought mark and alix, who contacted me through flickr, were great. i was half joking. i just hope i didnt look like a fool and and all..
there was alot of pauses and umms and i didnt quite know where i was suposed to look. we had a lengthy discussion before he started filming and i took them over to the site, which they had not seen.
i was on apparently, although i couldnt bring myself to watch.
AS I SIT HERE AND READ THESE COMENTS, I’M LIKE WOW REALLY IN SHOCK. MY SON’S LOST A FATHER, SOMEONE THAT CAN NEVER BE REPLACED AND PEOPLE ARE ON HERE CALLING HIM AN IDIOT THIS AND IRRESPONSIBLE THAT. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED OR WHAT WENT ON EXCPEPT HIM, JESUS AND THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, WHETHER HE WAS RIGHT OR IN THE WRONG WE WILL NEVER KNOW, BUT PLEASE WATCH YOUR COMMENTS. A CHID SHOWED ME THIS WEBSITE AFTER SHOWING IT TO MY SON. WE AS HIS CHILDREN’S MOTHER’S ALREADY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER SEE OR TALK TO HIM AGAIN,SO IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY PLEASE KEEP YOUR IGNORANT COMMENTS TO YOURSELF. HE LEFT A MOTHER & A FATHER, 4 SON’S AND 2 DAUGHTER HERE, THAT ARE GRIEVING HIS DEATH. SO AGAIN MY PLEA TO YOU ALL IS IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WENT ON AS MANY OF US DON’T THEN PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELF. I DON’T NEED ANY RESPONSES, AS I WON’T RESPOND BACK, JSUT WATHC WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT PEOPLE, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO KNOWS WHO. CHURCH HILL IS A VERY SMALL PLACE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A VERY BLESSED AND PROSPERIOUS LIFE.
man cuzo i miss u man i still cant beleave dis shit mane wen my daddy and dem told me wat happen i went fuckn crazy dat shit hurted mane and i dnt give a fuck who say wat but i think da police had some to do with ur death mane but i love u mane ima hold it down no metta wat and yal on dis internet need to chill cause yal dont no wtf yall talkn bout mane r.i.p “TALL” 27TH LOVE YU MANE EVEN DOE U GNE U NEVA FORGOTTN MANE U LEFT US WITH SOMETHING TO REMEMBER U MANE
As a person of the community,I think it’s our obligation to find out the TRURTH to what happened that awful night.This matter hit us all here at our front door steps.This young man was a father and a human-being.I dislike when I hear people putting this community down.Why come to the area if your not going to become part of the community? We need to stick together collectively,not independently.The young man made a bad choice and for that,he and his family paid.Let’s not make it about black & white or what he did wrong,let’s make it about his children and this community.Basically what I’m saying is this;This happened in our community let’s find out what really took place here,just don’t let sweep it under the rug and let it be forgotten.
First of all cops will not chase motorcycles cause they know they wouldn’t catch them and to dangerous..2nd of all the two guys were hot rodding up and down the block that is why the cops came…police know that motorcycles can out run them but you cant out run motorola!! i do feel bad for what happened but when you know your doing something wrong own up to it…he had like 6 kids and was only 27…ive heard both sides of this story from a friend cop that was on the scene and from my mother that works with his aunt
The police today issued a statement saying that police pursuit was not a factor in this accident:
well, the bike was going over 120 mph and the police car was going 43 mph…and he was really “right behind him” alison??
As a long time biker all I can say is, “If you play be ready to pay.” Don’t blame the police for the consequences of this man’s actions. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand the cops! The cops didn’t make this guy run from a routine stop. Take responsibility and stop blaming others. What do you expect from the Jerry Springer society though?
This is Phil Wilayto, editor of The Virginia Defender newspaper. I’m working on a story about police chases in Richmond and would like to speak to anyone who was there when Thomas Johnson was killed. Also, any friends or members of his family. You can reach me at philwilayto(at)earthlink.net or 644-5834. Thanks.