Woman dies in W Seneca motorcycle crash

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WIVB) - In West Seneca, police are investigating whether speeding led to a motorcycle crash on Route 400 that left a young nurse dead.

West Seneca Police say Tuesday night before 10 p.m. two motorcycles heading north on the 400 were believed to be traveling over the speed limit, when one on the bikes hit a pickup truck in front of it, sliding under the truck.

Lt. Edward Baker explained, "We didn't hear that they were racing, but we did hear that they were traveling at a high rate of speed."

24-year-old Chelsea Olsen, a nurse at Millard Gates who was originally from the Ithaca area, was killed. Her helmet had been jolted off her head, according to police. 29-year-old Joseph Ayer of Cheektowaga survived the crash.

"Traveling at high rates of speed and taking chances, especially if you haven't been on your motorcycle in the last several month,s is just not a good idea," warned Lt. Baker.

This is the second deadly motorcycle crash in just a few days. Saturday, 52-year-old Fred Lowenberg of West Seneca died when he lost control around a curb on a similar type of sports bike and crashed in Buffalo. Both fatal accidents involved sports bikes, built for speed.

Mike Rollo of Sic Choppers, Inc. said, "They're fun to ride. They handle great. Speed kills. You have to be careful. You have to pay attention to the road. You have to know the conditions."

Rollo builds and repairs motorcycles and says he eased his son into faster bikes after starting slow. This is his advice to those shopping for two-wheel transportation: Be wary of speed and size.

"The bigger the bike, the better the rider needs to be because of the speed, because of the weight. To start out if you're new, to start out on a smaller bike and work your way up," he cautioned.

Police believe Chelsea Olsen and a friend had agreed to ride on the back of motorcycles of two men who were acquaintances. Alcohol does not appear to be involved.

If anyone has information regarding this accident, please call the West Seneca Police Department at 674-2280.