Published: August 07, 2008 10:52 pm         

2 motorcyclists injured in collision

Two motorcyclists were injured after a crash in the 700 block of South Cleveland about 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The two motorcyclists, Stephen Kurtz, 18, and Toby Ging, 21, both of Enid, were taken by Life EMS to Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, according to police.

Kurtz suffered incapacitating in-juries to body, arms and legs, according to police, while Ging suffered incapacitating injuries to his head, body, arms and legs.

According to an Enid Police Department report, Kurtz and Ging were both southbound on Cleveland. Witnesses told police both riders were going at a high rate of speed and performing wheelies when Kurtz struck a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Lori Tydings, 46, of Enid, who had pulled out of the Sunset Plaza parking lot near Hobby Lobby.

Witnesses told police Kurtz was performing a wheelie when Tydings pulled out, and he put the bike down and slid into the SUV. Kurtz’s motorcycle, a 2003 Honda, spun and hit Ging’s motorcycle, a 2006 Yamaha, causing it to wreck, according to the report.

Kurtz and Ging both were cited for reckless driving, and Kurtz also was cited for no motorcycle endorsement. No citations were issued to Tydings at the scene.

According to the report, neither motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet. Tydings, who was not injured, was wearing her seat belt.

Enid police and firefighters blocked off three blocks of Cleveland, two north and one south of the wreck, as emergency responders attended to the riders and cleared the scene of debris.

“Those boys are lucky to be alive,” said one man, who was in the Sunset Plaza parking lot when the wreck occurred. “I didn’t see it, but I sure heard it.”