A motorcycle rider from Mesquite was involved in a horrifying crash on a highway. Fortunately, he survived the crash and now has a message for drivers.
Timothy Maroney told NBC 5 that he was heading home on May 15 and was stuck in rush-hour traffic on Interstate 635 near Jupiter Road in Garland. He was in that traffic when a car smashed into the back of his bike.
Maroney’s bike-mounted GoPro 360 camera caught the incident. The father of two, who said he installed the camera to watch videos of his rides, shared the video of the incident with news outlets.
After the vehicle hit him, Maroney is seen flying in the air before smashing into the windshield of the vehicle. He was then thrown forward toward the center lane as he landed on his tailbone.
“The first thing in my mind was: Don’t get ran over. Don’t get ran over. Stay coherent. Stay focused on this because this was real-life stuff. This is between me living or dying,” Maroney said.
Maroney said the driver of the car stopped and checked if he was okay. The driver remained on the scene. According to Garland police, they did not issue a citation to the driver, whose identity is unknown.
Maroney is home now, recovering. He said he broke his tailbone, three toes, and three spots in his back. He also broke his sacrum — the bone that connects to the tailbone.
The father of two said that his safety gear prevented him from sustaining life-threatening injuries.
While Maroney is not at risk of death, he said he can only stand for 10 minutes a day and is unable to work. He might also need to undergo surgery on his back.
A GoFundMe account was set up to help with Maroney’s medical bills. “I do not know how long I will be out of work, which is scary. I have a wife and two kids that depend on me. I know God will provide, but if anyone else wants to help, it would be greatly appreciated,” Maroney wrote.
Moroney said he has been riding a motorcycle for about 40 years and has never been involved in a crash until now. “Just happy to be alive,” he said.
Maroney is using his story as a plea for all drivers to be careful and watchful as they drive. “There’s a mother, there’s a father, or a brother or sister, or wife, we all ride, and everyone’s just trying to get home to their kids or their family. Everybody, pay attention. Slow down,” he advised.