Motorcyclist burned after collision

Fri., Sept. 22, 2006

Staff Reports The Spokesman-Review

A Spokane man whose motorcycle collided with a pickup and caught fire was in critical condition Thursday night at Sacred Heart Medical Center and wasn’t expected to live, police said.

In addition to major injuries from the impact, 30-year-old Brandon G. Lambert of 2823 W. Upton Ave., suffered burns that were “absolutely severe,” according to police spokesman Cpl. Tom Lee.

One of several witnesses who came to Lambert’s aid was seriously burned on one hand, Lee added. The Good Samaritan’s name was not available.

Lee said Lambert’s 1980 Honda 500 motorcycle immediately burst into flames when it collided with a 1986 Chevrolet pickup driven by Troy A. Haws, 39, of Loon Lake, Wash.

The collision occurred at 2:10 p.m. in the intersection of Garland Avenue and Cannon Street.

Garland was closed for about three hours while police investigated the crash.

The accident remained under investigation Thursday night, and no citation had been issued. Speed and alcohol weren’t factors in the crash, Lee said.

He said Lambert was eastbound on Garland when Haws, who was northbound on Cannon, turned onto Garland in front of Lambert. There are stop signs on Cannon, but not on Garland.

Lambert was behind a sport utility vehicle that made a right turn onto Cannon while Haws turned left onto Garland.

“It’s possible that neither the motorcyclist nor the pickup driver ever saw each other,” Lee said.

Haws had no passenger and was uninjured.

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