Jamestown man recovering after Sunday accident

FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – It was Sunday, during a 9/11 Memorial Run, when a Jamestown man was riding in a group of 300 motorcycles on the 6300 block of 119th Avenue SE in Ransom County. What was supposed to be a fun evening turned into one where he was airlifted to Sanford by rescue helicopter.

63-year-old Monte Roadacker was riding in the middle of a group of bikers when some of them overtook him at high speed.

“They drove pretty close to me. Then they had to hit the brakes because of a curb right there. I couldn't avoid it.”

His wife Cyndy was about five minutes ahead when she received the call that her husband had been in an accident.

“Uh, panic. I was like, 'Is he dead?' Do you know who caused this? Because it really makes me angry. When you're running, you don't pass people. You don't outrun them,” Cyndy said.

Now Monte has six broken ribs, abrasions, a concussion and a skull fracture.

“This is going to be the worst part, these ribs. Once they heal, I can go back to work and be who I was before,” Monte said when asked about his recovery.

Despite everything, he says he will drive again.

“If you can take a break and get on your bike for a few hours, it’s a mini-vacation.”

As they set out, the Rodackers have a question:

“Just slow down. The world is not on fire. People are so impatient these days. You don't have to put other people's lives in danger,” Cyndy said.

“Think about others, think about your surroundings. What can happen if you continue like this,” Monte added.

Monte entered rehab Thursday night and will stay there for nine days. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support his recovery.

Anyone with information should contact the North Dakota Highway Patrol at 701-328-2447 during regular business hours or 701-328-9921 during after hours, attention of Sergeant Andrew Cashin of the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

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