Car strikes actor Gene Hackman, 81, in Islamorada
Hackman airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center
By Wayne K. Roustan, Sun Sentinel
Actor Gene Hackman, 81, was airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Center in Miami on Friday after a car struck the bicycle he was riding in Islamorada, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Hackman was heading southbound near the 88 mile marker on the Old Highway around 3 p.m. when struck from behind by the right front fender of a 2007 Toyota Tundra driven by Kathryn Rodriguez, 60, or Islamorada, FHP Sergeant Thomas E. Pikul said.
"We're not sure who was at fault yet because that's still under investigation but the vehicle hit the bicycle and he was ejected off the bike and airlifted to Ryder Trauma with leg and bodily injuries," Pikul said.
Hackman was said to be awake and alert and in good condition as he was being transported to the hospital in Miami, according to Pikul.
Hackman won Oscars as best actor in The French Connection and best supporting actor in Unforgiven. He was nominated five times. The veteran actor's first big movie role was in Bonnie and Clyde in 1967.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-gene-hackman-hit-in-keys-20120113,0,2231739,print.story
Wow, I hope he's OK. Airlifted. He's one of the all-time greats; too many fantastic performances to list here.
PearliePoo2
(7,768 posts)One of my favorite actors ever.
If Gene Hackman is in it, it is a GOOD ONE.
TlalocW
(15,358 posts)Marooned (1969).
Other than that, I agree.
TlalocW
boppers
(16,588 posts)I guess somebody had to.
TheDebbieDee
(11,119 posts)The scene where Gregory Peck's NASA head lets the mission commander know that one of the astronauts must sacrifice themselves is very moving.
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)TlalocW
(15,358 posts)It's just me.
TlalocW
Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)liberal N proud
(60,298 posts)Faygo Kid
(21,477 posts)Whew. At 81, that has to be a near thing.
AlecBGreen
(3,874 posts)I wouldnt have guessed he was much over 70. He looks great!
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)a kennedy
(29,458 posts)Just the best actor.
Rhiannon12866
(202,969 posts)This would be serious for anyone, but it's especially traumatic for someone over 80... Hope he heals soon.
Brigid
(17,621 posts)Wow.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Mr. Hackman.
virgogal
(10,178 posts)Brigid
(17,621 posts)Too many 81-year-olds still spry enough to ride a bike. That's all I meant.
totodeinhere
(13,034 posts)can then probably a lot more of us could ride bikes in our eighties.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)And most people have the decision made for them as they grow old. Yes. I used the word old because 81 is up there with old.
unkachuck
(6,295 posts)....thank goodness....
....but really....Hackman hasn't made a good movie in a long time....who cares.
ScreamingMeemie
(68,918 posts)Webster Green
(13,905 posts)Quite a lot of people likely care. What a strange comment.
Frank Cannon
(7,570 posts)But come on, when the guy was making movies, he was awesome. He's one of those rare actors that makes even a shitty movie somewhat watchable just by being in it.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)but evidently you don't. Whatever. Maybe you should have shown how little you care by ignoring this thread instead of dissing Gene Hackman.
RetroLounge
(37,250 posts)I'm pretty sure a hell of a lot more people care about him than will ever care about you.
RL
man4allcats
(4,026 posts)He is one of my favorites - truly a straight up guy.
Aristus
(66,075 posts)Get better soon!
Bozita
(26,955 posts)www.wxyz.com
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Dumak
(399 posts)Hit by a Toyota Tundra. A big-ass pickup truck, usually driven by people who think they own the road.
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,271 posts)SleeplessinSoCal
(8,992 posts)99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)"he was ejected off the bike and airlifted to Ryder Trauma with leg and bodily injuries" ...
Sounds like he never even hit the ground, going directly from bike to mid-airlift.
Glad he was showing strong signs of life in route. Get well soon Gene!
Drat.. i really love Mr Hackman ... esp in "Enemy of the State",
but many others.
secondvariety
(1,245 posts)Those are some johnny-on-the-spot emergency techs.
Seriously though, I wish Mr. Hackman all the best.
GReedDiamond
(5,299 posts)...2 pm Pacific time.
I did some costume graphics in EotS, on a jacket Mr. Hackman's character wears (I "aged" it).
Faygo Kid
(21,477 posts)However, it's football Saturday. Still, another good movie, if a reach. Never a bad performance from Hackman.
KG
(28,749 posts)DippyDem
(658 posts)It seems that the movie wasn't made that long ago and now he's 81...geez time flies. I thought that was a great movie.
Get well, Gene.
Frank Cannon
(7,570 posts)And he, of course, makes it.
PuraVidaDreamin
(4,094 posts)Frank Cannon
(7,570 posts)Tough guy, that one.
jakeXT
(10,575 posts)Faygo Kid
(21,477 posts)That's a personal favorite. Powerful performance.
Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel
(3,273 posts)He was struck with a car, what else do they want?
Happen to me a long time ago, took a while to stop limping and hurting (after month in hospital). I am a lot younger than he is so I hope he gets better soon.
mainer
(12,013 posts)who's at fault seems pretty obvious. Lotta bad drivers down in Florida.
Skelly
(238 posts)of the road, he could possibly be at fault. Islamorada has awesome bike paths through most of their islands. Not sure of a need to use the road, nor would I ever even try. Motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, etc are very popular down here. We have campaigns on 'sharing the road', especially in areas with no bike routes. However, the number of accidents is still very high (in my opinion), mostly due to people in a hurry to get to their vacation destination. Many are not used to sharing the road.
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)Yes, it's true that many drivers aren't used to sharing the road but that's not a valid excuse. He was hit from behind, which suggests he was traveling on the correct side of the road. In general when a driver hits a vehicle from behind the fault is assigned mostly to the hitting driver, not the hit.
However, if Hackman was inebriated, riding erratically, or if he was crossing the travel lane in a crosswalk he would be at fault.
are a bit screwy down in the keys. Probably why 'fault' hasn't yet been determined. Some laws are totally ignored by the police (and subsequently ignored by motorists), others can enforced to a ridiculous extent. Depends on the municipality and the enforcement agency (we have at least a half dozen law enforcement agencies...all can give you a ticket...a border control agent recently fined a friend $250 because ONE (of two) license plate lights was burnt out). I ride on the sidewalk (which is legal here, not all places). Even then, I always keep an eye out for cars because they never see us. Like the old motorcycle motto: Ride like you are invisible, but not indestructible.
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)I definitely ride as if I'm invisible to most drivers. I cede my right-of-way rather than tangle with a car. It's much safer that way.
Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel
(3,273 posts)mainer
(12,013 posts)I traveled only about five miles on a Miami road with lots of strip malls. Almost got into three accidents caused by drivers rolling out of driveways without looking. None of them was younger than 80.
JackRiddler
(24,979 posts)greiner3
(5,214 posts)I don't know who would have the upper hand in the ensuing duel but my bet would go with Gene as he has played some real mean dudes in movies. Besides, if he was riding a bike he still has pretty good motor skills and the motorist clearly does not.
tawadi
(2,110 posts)is that the driver was not 91. Florida roads terrify me.
sofa king
(10,857 posts)http://jgwarren.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/194/
It is theorized that at any time in the world, a film starring either Michael Caine or Gene Hackman is playing.
The magical frame in which Michael Caine and Gene Hackman were first seen together in film history is at around 8:22 in this clip:
Strelnikov_
(7,772 posts)Just before jumping into Arnhem.
Hackman as Gen. Sosaboski
Lt. Gen. Frederick Browning: Only the weather can stop us now.
General Stanislaw Sosaboski: Weather. What of the Germans, General Browning. Don't you think that if we know Arnhem is so critical to their safety that they might know it too?
Lt. General Frederick Browning: See here, General Sosaboski, I should think you would have more faith in Field Marshal Montgomery's plan.
General Stanislaw Sosaboski: Faith? I will tell you how much faith I have. I am thinking of asking for a letter from you stating that I was ordered to go on this mission in case my men are massacred.
Lt. General Frederick Browning: I see... I do see. Do you wish such a letter?
General Stanislaw Sosaboski: No... In the case of massacre: what difference will it make?
love the reference....!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110759/
Angel in Texas
the_chinuk
(332 posts)the_chinuk
(332 posts)WhiteShoesATL
(30 posts)who the hell hit The Hack?! only he would survive. He was in the Marine Corps u know lol tough guy
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Get well soon...