Tragedy Strikes Commerce Township Motorcycle Community
Commerce Township is reeling after the tragic motorcycle accident that claimed the life of 40-year-old Joshua Steven Moomaw on June 24. A recent development has shed light on the incident, as a local man turned himself in to the police on a misdemeanor charge related to the fatal crash.
The Incident
On June 16, at approximately 9:17 p.m., Moomaw was riding his 2006 Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycle, waiting to make a left turn from Wixom Road onto Stratford Villa Way. Meanwhile, a 2019 Toyota Sienna, driven by Khim Lal Ghimire, was approaching from behind. In an unfortunate turn of events, Ghimire failed to see the stopped motorcycle and collided with it from behind.
Moomaw was quickly rushed to the hospital by the Commerce Township Fire Department paramedics. Sadly, despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to his injuries just a week later. His wife, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, endured her own set of injuries and was hospitalized but has since been released. What’s particularly alarming is that neither Moomaw nor his wife were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
Legal Consequences
Following the incident, Ghimire, now facing a charge of moving violation causing death, which is classified as a misdemeanor, turned himself in to authorities on a Friday. This charge can lead to a potential sentence of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of $2,000.
During a recent court appearance, 52-1 District Court Magistrate Lewis Langham Jr. issued a $2,000 personal bond for Ghimire. It’s noteworthy that Ghimire was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and fortunately did not sustain any injuries. Investigators from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit have confirmed that neither drugs nor alcohol played a role in the unfortunate crash.
The Aftermath
As the news spreads throughout Commerce Township, community members are left grappling with the impact of this tragedy. Moomaw’s passing is a significant loss, not just for his family but also for friends and fellow motorcycle enthusiasts in the area. The community is known for its support of local riders, and events held on weekends often spotlight the passion many have for the open road.
The local motorcycle community emphasizes safety, but accidents like this remind everyone of the inherent risks involved. It’s a tough conversation, but one that needs to be had, especially in light of the fact that both victims were not wearing helmets—a decision that could have drastic implications during an accident.
Looking Ahead
Khim Lal Ghimire is scheduled to return to court for a pretrial conference on October 16. Many in the community are following the case closely, hoping for justice for Moomaw and his family while grappling with their own feelings of grief and loss.
As time passes, the hope is for healing and awareness to spread throughout Commerce Township. Whether it’s reminding riders to wear their helmets or reinforcing the importance of being vigilant on the road, the community’s strength will shine as they navigate through this heartbreaking time together.
