Rjob,
I could be wrong, but it sounds like he was a VERY inexperienced rider, or was a rider who had not been on a bike for such a long time, he needed a refresher course. Did he at least try out the bike before riding off the lot? Did he at least ride it around the parking lot getting used to the feel, response and balance? I hope he just didn't go right out onto the street with his buddies into traffic, although it sure sounds like that is what he did.
Hubris, pride, or whatever it is that you want to call it. But it never ceases to amaze me that riders will spend thousands of dollars on a bike, thousands more to make it go faster, stop quicker, handle better, and sound and look right. Then spend thousands more on boots, leathers, helmets, gloves, and eye wear. Yet they won't even think twice about taking a course to improve themsleves. And when you suggest it, they always find a reason not to. "I've been riding 30 years, I don't need it". "I know I should, but I don't have the time", or my favorite, "Really, I don't need it".
I hope he gets better, gets healed up, takes a good course, and gets back on a bike.
Mark