Motorcyclists urge awareness ; Urge: 585 motorcycle crashes, 20 deaths reported in 2013

At least four people in Topeka have died in motorcycle crashes in the past four months -- two within the past few days.

Police haven't released the identity of a motorcyclist who was killed Wednesday night at S.W. 23rd and Gage Boulevard.

In a separate crash Tuesday night, Michael A. Munoz, 53, was killed after his 1999 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was struck by a 2004 Cadillac DeVille on the Sardou Bridge.

Bond has been set at $1 million for David M. Bowers, 30, of Topeka. Bowers was booked into the Shawnee County Jail on Wednesday in connection with manslaughter while driving under the influence, reckless driving, speeding, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to comply with driver's license restrictions, failure to render aid and knowingly driving without insurance.

Drivers have to make a conscious effort to look out for motorcyclists, said the Rev. Francisco "Preacher" Figueroa Jr., a member of the American Legion Riders Chapter 400 of Topeka.

"They have to realize there are a lot smaller objects on the road than them," he said. "It takes a conscious effort because people are so used to whipping in and out of traffic. It only takes that one time."

Mike Smoot, a team leader for Topeka 1 with Journey 4 Justice, and Figueroa have both been the victims of crashes involving a motorcycle and a vehicle.

Smoot was driving his motorcycle on Gage Boulevard in Topeka when he was struck by a car, he said.

"I wound up in the grass, so did the bike," Smoot said. "We weren't together. The bike was totaled. Luckily, I wasn't severely injured."

Figueroa lives with a lifelong injury and has to wear a knee brace. He was injured in California when a woman who "was in a hurry" struck him while he was riding his motorcycle.

"Take that extra look," Figueroa said.

While Smoot asks drivers to be extra cautious, he also acknowledged there are some irresponsible riders out on the roads, too.

"Be more aware of what's around you," he said. "I have the same right to a full lane as everyone else. Some people just don't understand that. Bikes are out there. People are riding them. They take them to and from work, and we ride for pleasure. Cut us some slack. We enjoy riding, and we want to do it safely."

On Sept. 12, 85-year-old Topekan Harold H. Eulert was killed while riding a motorcycle on the Topeka Boulevard Bridge.

John M. Roberts, 48, of Topeka, said he was putting a new compact disc into a CD player before his vehicle struck Eulert's motorcycle in the rear, according to police. As he looked up, he saw the motorcycle and slammed on his brakes but struck the motorcycle, which then struck the rear of a pickup truck. No criminal charges have been filed against Roberts in connection with the crash.

Scott Harmon, 51, of Topeka, was killed June 20 when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at S.W. Huntoon and Arrowhead. In that crash, officers responded about 5:30 p.m. to the collision between Harmon's motorcycle and a sport utility vehicle. Harmon was pronounced dead at the scene.

Earlier in the day, another motorcyclist identified as Christopher Cook, 32, of Carbondale, was seriously injured when his motorcycle collided with a pickup near the north entrance to Topeka Regional airport at S.W. University and S.W. Topeka Boulevard.

Cook sustained major head trauma and a broken leg and was sent to a Topeka hospital. Later, he was transferred to The University of Kansas Medical Center with injuries considered to be life- threatening.

The Kansas Department of Transportation's traffic accident facts show 14 fatality motorcycle crashes have happened in the state so far this year. There have been 405 motorcycle crashes in 2014, with 338 involving injuries. In 2013, 585 motorcycle crashes were reported, with 20 fatalities and 497 injuries.

Between 2001 and 2011, 10,524 crashes involving motorcycles were reported out of a total of 759,034 crashes.