He left his driveway on a warm November evening, and three minutes later he was dead against a tree, his vintage motorcycle destroyed around him. Austin L. Bates, 35, was riding his beloved 1947 Indian Chief on County Road 20 when tragedy struck near Rogers Road, about five miles outside Oneonta, Alabama.
The crash happened at 6:43 p.m., according to official reports, and by the time emergency responders arrived, Bates was already gone.What makes the loss so difficult to comprehend is that Austin wasn’t a reckless rider. Friends say he respected the road and treated his vintage motorcycle with deep reverence.
That Indian Chief wasn’t just a bike — it was his pride and joy, a piece of living history he had restored and maintained with painstaking care. Riding it was his way of unwinding, a quiet ritual that blended freedom and nostalgia.Investigators believe Austin lost control on a curve, striking a tree just off the shoulder of the road. The exact cause remains under review, but officials said no other vehicles were involved.
His helmet was found nearby, and early indications suggest speed was not a major factor. The roadway, dimly lit and lined with trees, can be unforgiving to even the most experienced riders.Those who knew Austin describe him as kind, meticulous, and endlessly generous — the kind of person who would drop everything to help a friend.
He worked with his hands, loved his family deeply, and took immense pride in preserving the craftsmanship of the past.As word of his death spread, fellow motorcycle enthusiasts and friends gathered at the crash site, leaving flowers, tools, and notes of remembrance. In the silence of that roadside memorial, the hum of engines feels more sacred than ever — a final tribute to a man who truly lived for the ride.
About the Author
