Haven't Seen an Arm Lying Around, Have You?

John Burns
by John Burns

It’s not the least bit funny to Ronald Vanarsdale, whose right arm was severed below the bicep in what witnesses reported as a drag race gone bad. Unfortunately, the missing limb couldn’t be located, and police were asking for the public’s help in finding it. This happened early on the morning of August 30, nearly three weeks ago, so probably nobody really wants it back anymore.

Witnesses said they saw multiple motorcycles racing westbound on the J. Stanley Tunney Bridge over Barnegat Bay in Toms River, NJ, when Vanarsdale was thrown from his bike. The police report says the one-arm lighter Vanarsdale was located 326 feet from where he was ejected, while his motorcycle was found 762 feet from the point of ejection. Yikes.

A Toms River police sergeant applied a tourniquet, and Vanarsdale was airlifted to the hospital, where he was as well as could be expected two weeks ago, with charges pending. As of this afternoon, the reporter for the Asbury Park Press who covered the story (linked below) says he doesn’t think the arm was ever recovered. Be careful out there, people.

More details here, at the Asbury Park Press.

John Burns
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