8:31 PM Fri, Jul 31, 2009 | Permalink |
By Owen Lei / KING 5 News
KENT, Wash. - A Kent family is asking for potential witnesses to come forward after a motorcycle accident goes from serious to life-threatening.
Forty-eight-year-old Leroy Sargent lies in an induced coma at Valley Medical Center in Kent.
"He's in the hospital on life support, trying to reduce the swelling in his brain," said long-time live-in girlfriend Diane Barry.
Family member say it happened Tuesday afternoon. Kent Police investigators who conducted a series of interviews believe Sargent was riding his motorcycle to work along 208th Avenue South in Kent.
It's a road he takes every day, said Barry, who added, "He's a careful motorcycle rider."
At a well-known rough patch of railroad crossing just west of the Highway 167 overpass, a taxi cab in front of Sargent suddenly hit the brakes, said investigators, who believe Leroy also braked, but lost control and fell off the bike. The cab continued on, but police believe the vehicles never touched, so the driver may not even have known what happened. Photos of the bike taken after the accident show little damage to the bike.
Leroy suffered a broken collarbone, said family members, but what happened later was even worse.
"We took him home at 7:30 [p.m. Tuesday]," said stepdaughter Nicole Schnell, "and by 8 o'clock he had had a massive stroke."
Barry called Sargent her sole provider, and tearfully asked if anyone may have seen the crash who can fill in the details.
"I need some information," she said. "If anybody saw the accident I would like to know what happened."
Kent Police say based on their current information, they have no indication of criminal intent or negligence. They are still trying to locate the cab driver as a potential witness.
Family members said Leroy also mentioned two good Samaritan drivers who helper him up after he fell.
I 'm an old friend of Leroys and I herd this story on the 11:00 news ,which I normaly am not up that late . This inspired me to comment .
Our prayers go out to Lee and we pray he has a full recovery .
Sincerely Lori
Hey Lee,
Please get better. We need our Wii player back! You are in everyones prayers.
Nichole
Michelle & Ryan say get well soon
We love you Lee, You are going to come thru this. All our prayers go out for your speedy recovery.
Life seems to throw us a curve once in a while and unfortunately this is a "Big Curve" for the both of you. Lee, you need to keep fighting as you are making progress everyday. I love to see Diane each day as she gets so happy about how you are doing. You and Diane have the tightest relationship of anyone I know..your love is so deep for each other and the way each of you take care of each other is admirable. You both are very strong individuals and been through a lot together. This is one more hurdle that you two will overcome. Lee, keep fighting...you are winning. Diane, stay strong and positive as He is watching over the both of you and will guide you through all of this. You two are my friends and whatever I can do to help, please just ask. Take care and I love both of you.