Motorcyclist involved in fatal crash south of Safford

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: A Safford man died March 19 after crashing while riding a motorcycle south of Safford.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

GRAHAM COUNTY – A motorcycle crash on March 19 took the life of a Safford man. 

Larry James Molina, 58, was pronounced deceased at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center despite valiant efforts from police and medical first responders and an accident witness. 

According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, a doctor at MGRMC said the cause of death was due to severe head trauma. 

Molina was reportedly riding a red, 1999 Honda VT1100 motorcycle southbound on Barney Lane near Busby Drive south of Safford at about 5:40 p.m. when he went off the road. Evidence at the scene corroborates a witness account of Molina attempting to stabilize the bike by putting his foot down after leaving the roadway. The motorcycle then dug into the ground and Molina was thrown from it. He was not wearing a motorcycle helmet and did not have a motorcycle endorsement on his driver’s license. 

The witness provided immediate medical attention to Molina and attempted to stop the bleeding from his head with a baby blanket. Deputies then provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and prepped Molina for the arrival of paramedics. Upon their arrival, additional life-saving measures were implemented and deputies continued CPR until a pulse was regained. 

Once Molina was stable, deputies helped the paramedics carry him to the ambulance. He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital due to severe head trauma.