Motorcyclist killed on I-5 near JBLM tried to right bike, fell under semitrailer

A motorcyclist fatally injured Monday on Interstate 5 near Joint Base Lewis-McChord was killed after he fell while trying to right his bike and was run over by a semitrailer, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Gary Blaine, 76, of Seattle was riding north on the freeway about 4:45 p.m. when he stopped in slowing traffic near the main gate of JBLM and his bike toppled over.

“We believe he lost his footing and tipped the motorcycle over,” trooper Guy Gill said.

Witnesses said Blaine was anxiously trying to stand his motorcycle back up as traffic began moving.

Blaine apparently fell again as he tried to right the bike and rolled into the next lane, where he was run over by a trailer being pulled by a semi.

“It’s a very, very tragic set of circumstances,” Gill said.

The semi driver, a 49-year-old Kent man, stopped when he realized what happened. He was not hurt.

Blaine was taken to Madigan Army Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 11:26 AM with the headline "Motorcyclist killed on I-5 near JBLM tried to right bike, fell under semitrailer."