Five people, including four motorcyclists, were killed Saturday in a horrific accident on Highway 98 near Ocotillo, MSNBC reported. According to the Imperial Valley Press and KXO Radio, a gold Honda Civic travelling eastbound tried to pass a group of motorcycles and cut into westbound lanes, failing to see a Dodge Avenger heading westbound. The driver of the westbound car went onto the paved shoulder but then over-corrected and lost control and collided head-on with a group of motorcyclists travelling eastbound. The accident happened just before 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Five people died and six people were injured. The six people hurt in the crash were: 36-year old Carlos Ramirez Bobadilla of Mexicali who was the driver of the Dodge Avenger, 39-year old Wilson Trayor of Lakeside, 57-year old William Barnes of San Diego, 42-year old Kelly Halley of Santee, 46-year old Melanie Barnes of San Diego and 55-year old John Lombardo of Lakeside. Injured victims were taken to hospitals in Brawley, El Centro, and San Diego. For those that survived, injuries resulting from the crash included a punctured lung, broken hip, broken ankle, broken pelvis, brain hemorrhage, broken pelvis, broken ribs, broken back, broken jaw and other serious injuries.
Four of the fatality victims were motorcyclists - two men and two women. The motorcyclists were travelling as a group and were members of the Saddletramps motorcycle club. The fifth was a 31-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Dodge Avenger. The identities of the victims were not released pending notification of their families.
According to the San Diego Union Tribune, just before the accident, the group of 21 motorcyclists had been enjoying breakfast and drinking coffee at La Posta Casino in Boulevard. Then the group started their engines and continued east toward Winterhaven to celebrate the club's 10-year anniversary.
Authorities Seeking Driver of Gold Honda
The CHP is looking for the driver of the Gold Honda that did not stop following the collision. It does not matter that the driver did not physically collide with the other vehicle or any of the motorcyclists. Drivers may still be held responsible for "non-contact" hit and run accidents.
Motorcycle Accident Injury and Wrongful Death Liability
Every single one of the victims of this crash and their families would be well-advised to contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Crashes like this one - where numerous parties are involved and there is a missing hit-and-run driver - have numerous unique and complex legal issues. The victims of this accident would benefit from talking to a knowledgeable lawyer sooner rather than later, while evidence and witness recollections are fresh. The San Diego motorcycle accident lawyers at Estey Bomberger have handled dozens of motorcycle accident injury and wrongful death claims, and are available 7 days a week to answer questions and provide advice and guidance to the victims of this horrific accident. Victims or their families may call (619)312-4399, or fill out a consultation request online.
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