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Point Pleasant Bicyclist Killed in Route 88 Accident Identified

Suresh Kumar Magan died after the collision with a tractor-trailer on Wednesday morning

Brick Township police have identified the Point Pleasant man killed Wednesday morning in a collision with a tractor-trailer on Route 88.

Suresh Kumar Magan was pronounced dead at Ocean Medical Center, Brick, after the accident, which occurred just before 9 a.m. at the intersection of Route 88 and Coolidge Drive.

Magan, whose age was initially said to be 48 but who may have been older, lived on Route 88 in Point Pleasant and worked at the LukOil gasoline station on the corner of Route 88 and Jordan Road, Brick Capt. John Rein said Thursday. Magan has relatives in India and in London who have been notified, Rein said. No further information was available at this time, he said.

Brick Sgt. David Bedrosian on Wednesday said showed the tractor-trailer was turning right on Coolidge after being stopped at a red traffic light when Magan, who was riding his bicycle along the right edge of Route 88, apparently rode into the passenger side of the truck's cab and was knocked off his bicycle into the road, where he was then hit by the right rear tires of the tractor-trailer.

The driver of the tractor trailer, James J. Southrey, 47, of Sewell, and an unidentified firefighter immediately began to administer CPR to Magan. Core Care, a passing private ambulance service, also rendered assistance  until other medical services arrived on scene, Bedrosian said.

Brick Police EMS as well as MONOC paramedics also responded to take Magan to Ocean Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The crash remains under investigation.

Tony August 16, 2012 at 10:07 pm
The bicyclist known to most of us as Sandy, from the Lukoil gas station on RT 88 and Jordan, attended our church. There will be a memorial service for him held at Fellowship Chapel on Wednesday night (8/22) from 7 pm - 8:15 pm. The address is 170 Duchess Lane, Brick. 732-892-1445. All are welcome.
WMS826 August 17, 2012 at 02:08 am
Sorry this guy is dead but he was a bit wrong in passing on the right. Yet our stupid system just made a few millionaires back home in India.
B August 17, 2012 at 04:59 am
Really WMS826??? What a stupid statement you made. if you knew the rules of the road bicycle or not. go back and read your book, then make an educated comment. Nows whos the stupid one??
AJ August 17, 2012 at 05:22 am
WMS826
What if that was one of your family members? The world doesn't need idiots like you... Yet the good people always die to soon... Rest in Peace Suresh
WMS826 August 17, 2012 at 11:54 am
AJ, you are so warm and welcoming yet you wish me dead. What a Christian thing to say.
A bike is a motor vehicle. Bike riders can be issued the same summons you get driving a car. No passing on the right, if he was in a car he would have had the same accident yet most likely still be alive.
Kieth Stone August 17, 2012 at 12:54 pm
If I remember correctly, there is a legal bicycle lane on 88 at Coolidge. If Mr. Magan was crossing Coolidge with a green light, that would make Mr. Southrey responsible for yielding the right of way to a bicycle traveling through the intersection. My condolences to his family and friends.
WMS826 August 17, 2012 at 01:04 pm
Not so certain. Is it marked and how so.
pd August 17, 2012 at 01:32 pm
WMS826, are you somehow certain that the driver of the tractor trailer properly signaled well in advance of overtaking the bicyclist and confirmed that he wasn't going to turn in front of the bicyclist that he had just passed? Are you somehow certain that the bicyclist wasn't traveling within the lane of travel and that the driver didn't pass him on the left and then turn in front of him?
What it boils down to is a tragic accident in which a family has lost a relative who is far from home, and in which another man has to live with the fact that he just crushed a man to death, regardless of who was at fault. You assume that the bicyclist didn't yield to the right of the way of the truck, but from my experience, a tractor trailer is much bigger and fast than any bike on the road, and it would stand to logic that the driver of the truck passed the bicyclist as he approached the intersection. He should have been well aware that there may be someone on his right. It's truly a shame that people like you don't know how to take the bigger picture into account before opening their mouths. My only thought when I heard about this was that it wasn't someone I know. It turns out it was and it is a sad day for everyone involved. Your first thought was to place blame on someone. What a shame.
WMS826 August 17, 2012 at 01:37 pm
Poor trucker most likely was terminated and will never find a job after this in his chosen field. All pedestrian traffic has the right of way, but should use common sense. This should be allowed to come out in a civil trial to stop the bleeding of American business and lower insurance rates for us all.
Lower insurance means lower pricing on goods and services.
califwino August 17, 2012 at 02:10 pm
Doesn't anyone pay attention to what the article says. Try reading this again Kieth & pj........ and yes I don't know if he had his right turn signal on......
"Brick Sgt. David Bedrosian on Wednesday said the initial investigation showed the tractor-trailer was turning right on Coolidge after being stopped at a red traffic light when Magan, who was riding his bicycle along the right edge of Route 88, apparently rode into the passenger side of the truck's cab and was knocked off his bicycle into the road, where he was then hit by the right rear tires of the tractor-trailer."
South End August 17, 2012 at 02:51 pm
I knew Sandy - we spoke several times at Lukoil after he complimented my Indian-made motorcycle - it reminded him of home...He seemed like a really nice guy. RIP.
Liz August 17, 2012 at 03:03 pm
Sadly it's a tragic accident that has ruined lives. All people want to do is place blame. Is that really necessary? I'm sure he will be remembered and missed by many who like myself and family frequented Lukoil. He was always friendly and sometimes funny. RIP Suresh, my thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.
WMS826 August 17, 2012 at 04:47 pm
Unfortunately it is about assessing blame in any death for various reasons.
No other legal system in the world would do this for someone in a similar circumstance.
Mark Story Jenks August 17, 2012 at 04:51 pm
Anyone who has driven a tractor trailer knows about the blind spots. There is an awful lot you can't see, especially of what is alongside the right or behind you.. It is obvious the truck driver never saw the man on the bike, and the man on the bike never knew the truck was going to turn. I was not there, and will not place blame. But I've driven tractor trailers, and ride a bicycle every day. I can see how easily this could happen, with certain but unfortunately tragic timing and unawareness on the part of both parties. The wrong place at the wrong time for both. Very sad.
pd August 17, 2012 at 05:12 pm
YOU are not the person that needs to assess that blame. Leave that to the professionals.
Karen Wall August 17, 2012 at 05:14 pm
Tony, could you please email me directly? karenfishes66@gmail.com
I'd like to talk to you about Sandy. Thank you
WMS826 August 17, 2012 at 09:31 pm
I drove for ten years all north jersey and NYC and agree entirely. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why I comment on this. I would bet he had his blinker on too. How this guy could not stop his bike in time is the question and see the truck turning ahead of him. Only thing I could say is he was side by side with the cab next to the passenger side fuel tank or step. Did not see the blinker and went ahead, passing on the right.
Murphy's Law August 17, 2012 at 10:28 pm
wms826, you really need to keep your mouth shut. You sound utterly stupid. You were not there and are making stupid comments that make no sense. I didnt know I needed a license to ride a bike.... hmmmm there goes that theory!!! (of course when wms826 comments, he hides behind a fake name. Idiots are dangerous and if he believes what he is writing, he will kill someone someday!)
ANYWAY..................... Every state has the same law. If you hit a pedestrian or bicyclist in any state, whether it a motorcycle, car or truck, you are 100% in the wrong. Doesn't matter what the circumstances are, the driver is in the wrong. Its called pedestrian right away. I drove for for goya, and I was ALWAYS alert to what was around me at all times. I am sure that the prosecutors office will look at his log and review all the factors and then decide what to do and what charges need to be filed, if any. My OPINION is no matter what, its tragic on everyone. RIP Sandy, you were a hard worker and brought many smiles, to many of us.
laura brinkerhoff August 18, 2012 at 01:13 am
Sandy Magan was a wonderful, very spiritual, hard working man. He was always so kind to me when I stopped at the Lukoil. Even though it was small talk, we had some nice conversations. He told me that God is everywhere. Laura B
clamdigger August 18, 2012 at 01:27 am
@Ken Murphy; this statement is 100% false " If you hit a pedestrian or bicyclist in any state, whether it a motorcycle, car or truck, you are 100% in the wrong."
for example there was a guy on a bike who was struck by a cop in PP on Rt.88 and the bicyclist was found to be at fault. @califwino; you are exactly correct with your statement of; "Doesn't anyone pay attention to what the article says....investigation showed the tractor-trailer was turning right on Coolidge after being stopped at a red traffic light when Magan, who was riding his bicycle along the right edge of Route 88, apparently rode into the passenger side of the truck's cab and was knocked off his bicycle into the road, where he was then hit by the right rear tires of the tractor-trailer." I happened to be at one of the busineses on that corner today and spoke to someone who saw the whole accident & the truck driver was already committed to his turn and well into the turn when the bicyclist rode directly into it. @WMS826 this is wrong also; "A bike is a motor vehicle....No passing on the right" Bicycles,mopeds unicycles skateboards are required to travel in the same direction of traffic,follow the same rules of the road but are also required to stay as far to the right as possible. There is not such thing that a bicycle,moped or any other wheeled(non car)vechicle may not pass on the right. I can't believe people who think bikes should not be passing stopped traffic just because they ride the shoulder.
WMS826 August 18, 2012 at 01:41 am
The fact that some of you can sit on a jury scares the heck out of me. why do Mopeds have plates on them and require a lic to operate it. This is the system I talk about and it occurs because of people like you Ken Murphy if that is your real name. You are a lawyers dream on a jury and will hand over the farm to someone who is wrong. Check out these links below people.
http://www.bayheadnj.org/bhnj/Announcements/Bicycle%20Safety.html/_top http://www.chathamborough.org/chatham/Departments/Emergency/Police/Activities/Traffic%20Safety%20Unit/
WMS826 August 18, 2012 at 01:45 am
What about the helmet law Ken Murphy....here is a link from your own state. Maybe not Ken Murphys cause he is in a state of confusiion.
http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/regulations.shtm
MK August 18, 2012 at 02:19 am
Actually, a bike is not a motor vehicle ... it has no MOTOR.
And if you read correctly it said that the tractor trailer was turning right while the the man was biking on the right. What that sounds like is the tractor trailer cut on front of him when the accident happened. I think people can only respond with anger when someone writes something as cynical as your comment
Da Poppa August 18, 2012 at 04:00 am
@WMS826 - You ignorant jack wad ... He wasn't passing on the right, he was traveling on the right, as per the law ... The truck turned in front of him ... You're a compassionless fool.
Da Poppa August 18, 2012 at 04:05 am
@WMS826 - it is better to keep one's mouth shut and look the fool, than to open it up and remove all doubt ... SHUT UP
Need a Change August 18, 2012 at 02:38 pm
Good point ..If he had a helmet on would he have lived ...But what ever that section is so narrow and trucks fly on that road ..You have to really drive whit caution in cars or bike ..just a sad story..I bet the truck driver did pay attention to the bike rider..IM BIGGER ATTITUDE ...
WMS826 August 18, 2012 at 03:59 pm
It is sad on many accounts. I just want people to think and see this from other view points. What about the cop who had to clean this up and handle it. Not a pleasant day for first responders.
Joanna Henderson August 22, 2012 at 02:09 pm
Suresh always rode his bike responsibly. I would see him riding everywhere in Point Pleasant and Brick (on Rt 88). I don't know the particular circumstances that led to his death, but he did bring smiles & laughter to his customers. It is a shame that he is gone now. I do have to say that people who drive down Rt 88 (especially when not being from the area) drive like idiots. I have seen a tremendous amount of speeding on 88 and people do not like to use signals for turning. They also tend to text while sitting at lights. Possession of your phone (even at a light) indicates you aren't paying attention to the roadway. I have even seen Police Officers using cell phones while driving on our busy roads. Please... stay aware.. this man had a life and family back home...
WMS826 August 22, 2012 at 03:40 pm
And if the police were heavy handed and wrote everything they see what would we say about them on here.
You people get your breaks, then complain the cops do not enforce the laws and EVERYONE ELSE is driving crazy.

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Bowie Thelonius June 19, 2013 at 09:27 am
I doubt it. People love to complain :) Myself included I suppose.
Happy Point Beacher June 19, 2013 at 01:37 pm
Too bad. I don't complain where it will do no good. I do complain when it can change things for theRead More better. Don't waste your time or be negative.