The crash that killed Benjamin Linebaugh started with a simple pull-out from a stop sign. He was 19 and riding south on Forge Road in South Middleton Township when the SUV came off Woodlawn Lane around 5:45 Thursday evening. His motorcycle slammed into the driver’s side. He was thrown clear.
Troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police sorted out the details. Benjamin wore a helmet. It made no difference. Nobody in the SUV got hurt. The whole thing happened in a blink at that quiet corner.
Benjamin came from Mount Holly Springs. He knew these roads. That night the road knew him differently. One wrong move by the other driver and the ride was over.
Drivers who use Forge Road every day say the stop sign on Woodlawn Lane needs full attention. Miss the timing and somebody pays. Benjamin paid with everything he had left.
The news hit hard in the area. A kid that young does not get much time to build a story. The crash stole the rest of the pages before they could be written.
People still drive past the spot and slow down a little more than they used to. The helmet and the bike and the young rider are gone. Only the facts stay put.
Benjamin Linebaugh never got another chance at that intersection. The SUV driver walked away. The 19-year-old from Mount Holly Springs did not.
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