A Lakeside man was tragically killed early Tuesday morning in an accident on southbound Interstate 15 between Felicita Road and Via Rancho Parkway in Escondido, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported. The accident occurred at about 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, June 15th. The California Highway Patrol reported that some unsecured items, including a barbecue grill and what appeared to be a piece of wooden furniture, fell off a vehicle, and the motorcycle struck it. The driver of the motorcycle, David Ronald Jensen, 49, of Lakeside, and his wife were both thrown from the bike. According to San Diego 6 News, both were able to get up after the crash. However, Jensen was struck by a passing Toyota Prius moments later and killed. Jensen's wife was taken to Palomar Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Road Debris Accident Statistics
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, vehicle parts, cargo, or other material that has been unintentionally discharged from vehicles onto the roadway is estimated to cause over 25,000 crashes per year in North America resulting in approximately 80-90 fatalities. The most common forms of vehicle-related road debris include tire treads, garbage from waste haulers, and lumber and construction materials. Particularly for motorcyclists, road debris is a serious safety concern.
Motorcycle Accident Liability Considerations
The cause of the accident remains under investigation. While this accident remains under investigation by the CHP, the family of the victims would be well-advised to talk to an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible about this Interstate 15 accident and the legal issues involved. Based on the news reports, it is not clear if the driver of the vehicle that apparently failed to secure the grill to his or her vehicle stopped at the scene. The speed of the Toyota Prius may also possibly be a factor in the crash. An attorney who has successfully represented victims of highway road debris accidents can help the victims protect their legal rights following this accident, and obtain maximum financial compensation for the wrongful death of the driver and the injuries of his wife, who also witnessed the second collision.
Sources: San Diego 6 News, 10 News, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
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