On 26 May 2008, we were heading home from the Mason-Dixon Conference on I75. Just before reaching the Kentucky border near Jellico, Tennessee, we were traveling Northbound in the left lane when a man and his son driving in a rental car chose to try and pass us using the left shoulder. It really wasn't a shoulder because it was made up of a 3 foot wide gravel path next to a downward sloping drainage ditch. Upon reaching our group, the rental car lost control on the gravel and fish-tailed into John Tolomeo and his wife, Cindy, who were riding a Harley bagger. John's bike then skidded out of control into Jason Cowin who was riding a Harley Fatboy. Both bikes continued across the right lane and off the highway into the weeds and trees. All riders were thrown from their bikes. John and Cindy suffered severe road rash and a sprained wrist but were up and off the backboards in a couple hours. Jason was not so lucky. His bike landed on his arm while tumbling end over end. The bike finally came to a stop but Jason was thrown into the trees. Jason has multiple fractures to his arm that require surgery. The hospital wrapped up Jason and prepped him for a long drive home in order to have the surgery done in Chicago. We had to spend the night in Jellico, TN and rent a car that we drove to Lexington Airport. There we had to rent another car one way to Chicago. We finally made it home late Tuesday night and took Jason, John and Cindy directly to Northwestern Hospital. John and Cindy were released and recovering at home. Jason was also released but still needs surgery which will be happening within the next couple of days. Jason's Fatboy was TOTALED. John's bagger could probably be repaired, but because it's 7 yrs old, the bike will probably be totaled also. Oh by the way, on 25 May 08, one of the girls traveling with us nearly died from a bee sting while riding up in the mountains. Luckily a tourist had a bee sting kit but because we were so high up in the mountains, it took the ambulance 45 MINUTES to reach us. Thanks to four nurses (all bikers) who were sightseeing, Rosa lived to see Jason, John and Cindy crash and almost die the next morning. 

Humberto Candelario
Pres BK IL XI