22 Responses to “Motorcyclist Killed In Highway 4 Crash”

1. Eden on July 28th, 2015 7:53 am

   Rankin and Linda are two incredible people. Praying for comfort and peace in this terrible time for all who love them.

2. Gypsy on July 28th, 2015 7:27 am

   I had the privilege of spending the Friday and Saturday with Rankin and Linda. We rode in a benefit ride to help someone with cancer on Saturday. Those of us that rode on the bug run with them on Saturday thought the world of them and they will be missed more than they may have ever known. I believe I speak for the biker community over here in the Stockton area and offer not only our prayers but our sincere and profound sense of loss. These were wonderful folks and they will be missed.

3. Christopher Viar on July 27th, 2015 10:19 am

   It seems to me that every week I read of a motorcycle death, or two, in our part of the county. I remember a month, or so, ago about that motorcycle that crashed, killing the driver, 1/4 mile down from my house….crashing for no apparent reason. The road (Hwy 29) is wide open, with clear line of sight for hundreds of feet, clear and sunny day…..and somehow, someway, a crash. I wonder if they ever figured out that crash happened.
   I used to have me a bike, actually three of them. And, I had my fun. But, sometimes, I would wake up and remember the words of the instructor’s statistics that “if you ride a motorcycle, you are 10 times more likely to die in a crash than if you were in a car.”
   I was not having that much fun, not 10 times. And, neither were my loved ones when I took that chance.
   Be safe. Have fun. Motorcycles are everywhere, including the three I sold after I calculated the risks according to my goals and the needs of those who need me to live safely.

4. Kritter on July 26th, 2015 8:45 pm

   @molinoman I pray that you never lose a family member in this type of tragedy only to search the Internet and find that people are so unsympathetic and cruel with their words. This family is dear to my heart and I pray with everything in me their children never have to see your comments…considering all they are going through. Drinking and driving is a terrible decision, yes, but so is tearing others down without thought of the heartache it will bring their family who are already grieving the loss of their mother/grandmother.

5. molino jim on July 26th, 2015 7:49 pm

   The speed limit on h’way 4 is 55 mph. Drive 55 and you’ll get run over. That is part of the problem. I don’t know if bikes have the little “black boxes” as most new cars do that record the speed of the vehicle. It is normally checked after a major wreck and gives a lot if information to the officer working the accident.

6. jeremy on July 26th, 2015 4:40 pm

   God bless this family!! I am praying for you and your family!!

7. SHill on July 26th, 2015 3:01 pm

   I don’t know the why’s but I do know that her daughter must be grieving her loss. I’ve known Linda for years and just can’t believe this has happened. Prayers for her family.

8. Audrey on July 26th, 2015 1:30 pm

   So sad for this family, a good man, an awesome woman. God works in mysterious ways. Attending a cancer benefit one moment and loosing your own life in a blink of an eye. Life is short. Dear Lord, please wrap this family in your Loving Grace, please have mercy for Rankin and please dear lord, give all affected the strength to cope with this horrible tragedy. Amen.

9. Nikki & Roy on July 26th, 2015 11:21 am

   I’m not going to get on a soap box, however my comment was made before any other info was released. I live near this stretch of road and have seen TOO many accidents that have been road related to this section. True, lack of paying attention, speed, ect also have caused some of these accidents but the road is horrible. Very narrow, a lot of traffic, especially when school is in, and bad drop offs. It is poorly painted and is just bad. There will certainly still be wrecks no matter the road condition but widening and properly marking the road would help tremendously!!!! Again, prayers for the families

10. Calla on July 26th, 2015 10:42 am

    My condolences to the families of those involved. I wish a few of you good Christians would think about the families that are grieving right now.
    We ride the roads from the Alabama St. line to the beach and beyond. Yes, alcohol and bikes don’t mix, just like cars. What most of you don’t realize is the pot holes & road trash pose more of a danger. A chunk of pine tree or rock, a blown truck tire & your cigarette butt thrown out the window wreck bikes everyday. Dont be so quick to judge. God bless. Wheels down.

11. molinoman on July 26th, 2015 9:47 am

    @Kritter, that is what is wrong today, people are afraid of hurting others feelings with the truth. Drinking and driving is an idiotic thing to do period. Drinking and driving not only can get yourself killed it kills others not involved. You have no regard for your fellow man or their lives if you drink and drive. So yeah, these two were being idiots to drink and drive, a motorcycle at that. No excuses, no tip-toe’n around it. If that hurts some family member’s feelings, I’m sorry.

    Maybe this is not the right time to say it, but knowing this will disappear in a few days off the main page, I said it.

    Again, prayers for the family and Mr Barnes to recover.

12. Robert on July 26th, 2015 9:21 am

    My prayers go out to the Barnes family. I recently left Sacred Heart from my motorcycle accident and I would like to come up and visit and offer prayers. The nurses up there are wonderful and amazing people. Wilmer Barnes is in good hands.

13. Vera on July 26th, 2015 9:08 am

    My prayers go out to the family and friends of the family.GOD BLESS

14. Kritter on July 26th, 2015 8:45 am

    Please have respect with your comments about the involvement of alcohol in this accident and remember that the couple who were involved have a family. They have children, who could possibly see these comments and the last thing they need right now is to see a bunch of judgemental statements made toward their father. It was a mistake for him to drink and drive, yes, but please be mindful of your words in consideration of the family who has to deal with this tragedy.

15. molinoman on July 26th, 2015 8:05 am

    JamesR, from your comment down, those people were responding when very little information was known, not responding to the drinking and cycling.

    I guess NE decided they didn’t need to add “update” after people had already responded. So before anyone else jumps on the bash train that’s what’s up.

    At 50+ years old seems you’d know better than drink and drive? Praying for the family.

16. hawghead on July 26th, 2015 7:50 am

    How come everytime there is a bad accident on some road, everyone complains that something needs to be done about that road. Have you ever thought that something needs to be done about drivers. Alcohol was a factor here so how can it be the roads fault. How do you make a DUI safe road?….Has anyone thought that maybe we as drivers are getting worse?……Everyone seems to be in a hurry all the time on highways. If you drive the speed limit then you get passed by everyone. Everyone tailgaiting other cars trying to intimidate them. No one has any respect anymore…I’ve been drving these roads for 38 years and I can tell you that people drive like idiots these days…..Let’s stop putting redlights up everywhere and stop putting speed bumps up…Let’s just start driving like responsible people and I bet you all these “dangerous stretch’s of road will fix themselves….

17. Sue Furth on July 26th, 2015 7:46 am

    Alcohol may have been one of the factors, but, there was probably more than one reason this happened.
    The survivor will suffer greatly for this. He not only lost his wife and his new bike, and now after he wakes up he will have to face the realization of what happened and face the consequences of the law.
    Very, very sad. I lost my partner to a motorcycle wreck, bike was one day shy of being 6 months old, alcohol related. That was 6 years ago, I am still suffering.

18. Kim on July 26th, 2015 5:52 am

    My comment was made before I knew it was alcohol related. I agree the road can not be blamed when it is alcohol related but I live near this road and I do know that there has been accidents there not alcohol related. My son was almost hit on that narrow bridge. Prayers for this family.

19. JamesR on July 26th, 2015 2:06 am

    Any stretch of road is dangerous when the accident is alcohol related. The severity is multiplied exponentially when operating a motorcycle. This is unfortunate, but don’t blame the road for driving under the influence.

20. Laine on July 25th, 2015 9:56 pm

    Prayers for all involved.

21. Kim on July 25th, 2015 9:19 pm

    I agree something needs to be done through that stretch of road. Those bridges are too narrow especially with the dangerous curves. A lot of young people drive that stretch of road with the High School right up the road. My prayers are with this family.

22. Nikki & Roy on July 25th, 2015 8:32 pm

    Prayers for the family/families involved. Hate that stretch of road. Maybe one day something will be done.