That sucks. I'm sick of reading those reports.
I find September riding more dangerous in my area. I live right on campus and I'm careful to go on rides very early in the morning, before there is much traffic. There are thousands of new people heading places they're unfamiliar with and they're not paying as much attention as I think they should to some of the action around them (as they are trying to find their way around).
And even the people who know where they're going can be more distracted (the "rush" feeling of September) or just be caught in a series of unfortunate events because of one person who didn't know where he/she was going and made some stupid manoeuver.
Anyway, I'm just extra careful in September. I love this month for the temperature and the colors and everything, but being on the road sucks.
My prayers go with all those who have problems on the road...