Ortega Hwy accident

**cebuVFR** · 05-11-2009 12:58 AM

Rancho Santa Margarita motorcyclist dies on Ortega Hwy (74) in crash :: The Temecula Valley News

This is very inaccurate! The whole thing happened about 15 yards away from me while i was taking a picture of my bike.

Here's my account:

My friend and I decided to go to Ortega Hwy for a ride last Saturday...weather was good. Decided to bypass by Hells Kitchen and stop at the lookout before heading to lake elsinor then back to Hell's for lunch. We took a couple of pics of the lake and of our bikes when all of a sudden, BAM!!! A loud banging sound of 2 vehicles close to my proxinity! As i glanced slightly toward my right, I saw a red bike flipping in the air(about 15 feet to my estimation). I saw the rider lying motionless about 20 yards away from the bike. Me and my friend rushed toward him and told him not to move as i called 911. I am not a trained paramedic nor is my friend so we stayed right next to him reassuring him that help was coming and trying to control traffic at the same time. Medics were at the scene in about 5 minutes and took care of the rider.

NOW, HERE'S WHAT I BELIEVE HAPPENED:

the driver of the honda civic heading toward lake elsinor, crossed a solid yellow line(made a left) cutting the way of the rider. the rider apparently didn't see the car because we didn't hear any screeching sound. i spoke with the driver of the car that was overtaken prior to the accident and he said the rider wasn't really going that fast. what i suspect was when the rider was returning to his lane after overtaking, the honda civic driver (whos attention was apparently at the lookout) decided to suddenly make a left turn without noticing the motorcyclist.

WARNING: PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT * Note Time stamp at Photos

**ewryly** · 05-11-2009 01:47 AM

So unbelievably sad. Just seeing the pictures is so disturbing. I can't imagine how you feel seeing it in person.

**realnew** · 05-11-2009 04:52 AM

Hows The Biker?

**H.C.D.** · 05-11-2009 05:13 AM

We've got some very scenic stretches of hwy here in Ark. that have lots of scenic turnouts, tourist trap/restaurant parking lots etc, that are pretty busy, and they scare the living hell out of me for this very reason. Poor man. Looks like the driver of the cage left-turned him and he didn't have any time to slow down at all. One of those unavoidable scenarios.

**drewl** · 05-11-2009 06:44 AM

Makes me cringe after my weekend ride. Glad all of us made it home safe this weekend, sad he did not.
The article reporting seems substandard at best. Did the police get witness statements from you and your friend?

**cebuVFR** · 05-11-2009 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by realnew

Hows The Biker?

according to the news, he didn't make it. here's the link:

Rancho Santa Margarita motorcyclist dies on Ortega Hwy (74) in crash :: The Temecula Valley News

**Joey_Dude** · 05-11-2009 07:13 AM

Wow that is tragic, that's why I always slow down when approaching those scenic stops. You never know someone might turn in front of me.

**cebuVFR** · 05-11-2009 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by drewl

The article reporting seems substandard at best.

That's what motivated me to post this. It is unfair to the rider to receive an inaccurate account from someone a quarter mile away. I was standing about 20 feet away from the guy.

Originally Posted by drewl

Did the police get witness statements from you and your friend?

Yes.

**Ghost** · 05-11-2009 07:38 AM

I'm not intending to debate an account I wasnt there for, so cebu has the lead here...
from reading the article, the rider made an illegal maneuver and hit an oncomming car. Based upon the photos, there doesnt look like a head on collision. So I would buy, either of two scenarios. A. the traffic record account is correct, and the car attempted to swerve out of the way, but the bike was going too fast for the car to move far enough, thus the impact at the passenger fender, or B. combination of the car turning and the bike still making illegal move.

Either way, the bike shouldnt have been in that lane.

Im sure the official police report would state something to that effect.

**cebuVFR** · 05-11-2009 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Ghost

Either way, the bike shouldnt have been in that lane.

Im sure the official police report would state something to that effect.

the bike landed on the other lane but impact occurred on his lane.

**Ghost** · 05-11-2009 07:51 AM

oh wait, I get it, the biker was heading uphill?

ya, whether if the biker passed the car in front of him or not (which was illegal), it would be hard for the oncomming car to swerve to the inside, and clip the rider, flip the bike, and throw the rider to the other lane, and still miss any other cars. Sounds like the dude in the car just killed the biker.

**Scubalong** · 05-11-2009 09:06 AM

Very sad.........................
:(
Not sure what to said.

**MrDen** · 05-11-2009 09:42 AM

Dammit!!!!

**Chuckman49** · 05-11-2009 12:46 PM

Tons of stupid ass drivers out there! Sorry you had to be there for that Nardy, my prayers go out to the riders' family. Newspaper reporter skills SUCK! Make it sound like the biker was doing something wrong... Glad you and your friend made it home safe and sound...

**Nungboy** · 05-11-2009 03:04 PM

My thoughts and prayers go to the family of the rider.
To Cebu: I am sorry you went through this. I would imagine it was quite upsetting to be there, try to comfort the rider, and then find out he died. Did you sense that he understood what you told him and did he communicate with you?

**Jimtt** · 05-11-2009 04:16 PM

He obviously took care of his bike (good tires clean under body) had on all the right gear and got caught out somehow. I’d like to think he made an error like riding to fast or looking at the view at a critical second but that is because I don’t like thinking that I can’t avoid something like that. I also say here is a good reason to wear gear; suppose he lives if he is a few feet to the right, but only because of this helmet. And as important stay 100% focused and aware within a common sense envelope that fits you. I deeply feel for him and his Family. JIM

PS: I was on before and saw the rider pictures and that is why I know he had on good gear head to tow.

**Nungboy** · 05-11-2009 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Jimtt

He obviously took care of his bike (good tires clean under body) had on all the right gear and got caught out somehow. I’d like to think he made an error like riding to fast or looking at the view at a critical second but that is because I don’t like thinking that I can’t avoid something like that. I also say here is a good reason to wear gear; suppose he lives if he is a few feet to the right, but only because of this helmet. And as important say 100% focused and aware within a common sense envelope that fits you. I deeply feel for him and his Family. JIM

PS: I was on before and saw the rider pictures and that is why I know he had on good gear head to tow.

So does that mean there were more pics posted before and then later removed?

**cebuVFR** · 05-11-2009 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Nungboy

My thoughts and prayers go to the family of the rider.
To Cebu: I am sorry you went through this. I would imagine it was quite upsetting to be there, try to comfort the rider, and then find out he died. Did you sense that he understood what you told him and did he communicate with you?

he was very dazed and wanted to move but we told him not to and help was coming soon.

**Nungboy** · 05-11-2009 04:54 PM

You have to know that on several levels you helped him.

**squirrelman** · 05-11-2009 06:35 PM

OK driver, you "didn't see" the motorcycle.....but you DO see this 9mm pointed at your head, don't you??

**Knife** · 05-12-2009 07:02 AM

I never saw the bullet coming! (for Squirrelman's post)

**Scubalong** · 05-12-2009 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by Nungboy

So does that mean there were more pics posted before and then later removed?

There are pictures of the rider but had been remove to show some respect and dignity to the rider and his family.
S.A.M

**Nungboy** · 05-12-2009 10:06 AM

I understand. Thanks.

**Packman** · 05-12-2009 10:59 AM

Cebu, Im sorry to hear you had to witness that, but I second what others have said that Im sure you did some good being there for that fellow rider. I read the article and it's an atrocity that things like that with no hard facts and non-eye witness estimations are allowed to be put in print, its just another log in the fire to burn motorcyclists as speed hungry inconsiderate jerks. I also noticed that the riders brother posted a reply after you asking for you to contact him, just wanted to make sure you knew he was reaching out to you. My prayers are with you and his family bro.

**cebuVFR** · 05-12-2009 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Packman

Cebu, Im sorry to hear you had to witness that, but I second what others have said that Im sure you did some good being there for that fellow rider. I read the article and it's an atrocity that things like that with no hard facts and non-eye witness estimations are allowed to be put in print, its just another log in the fire to burn motorcyclists as speed hungry inconsiderate jerks. I also noticed that the riders brother posted a reply after you asking for you to contact him, just wanted to make sure you knew he was reaching out to you. My prayers are with you and his family bro.

Yes, I got in touch with the his family. Thanks Packman.

**Nungboy** · 05-12-2009 01:02 PM

Now you will find out just how important your presence was...the family will benefit from your feedback. I think anyone that rides or has lost a relative in any circumstance will understand how important you are to this family.

**squirrelman** · 05-12-2009 08:01 PM

JUST a start to the legal aspects of an incident like this would be a charge of "vehicular manslaughter" or "negligent homicide."

But the cops never charge the cardriver, and it's time for that to change!!!

Whoops, "Illegal left turn"? So sorry, $25 fine....pay the clerk. Done ! THAT SUX !!

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