Oceanside Man Killed in Monday Morning Crash on Interstate 805
CLAIREMONT MESA - A 60-year-old Oceanside man was very tragically killed Monday morning in a multi-vehicle crash involving a Lexus SUV, a BMW motorcycle, and a big rig on a rain-slicked Interstate 805, the North County Times reported. The accident was reported in the far-left southbound lanes of the freeway near Balboa Avenue, shortly before 6 a.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011. According to the California Highway Patrol, a motorist was driving a Lexus SUV at about 80 mph when he came upon slower moving traffic in front of him, which caused him to lose control and strike a big rig. The impact of the collision with the big rig caused the SUV to cross directly into the path of the motorcycle, driven by Paul Palika, 60, of Oceanside.
Cause of the March 21st Crash
If news reports are accurate, it appears almost certainly to be the case that the driver of the SUV was responsible for this fatal collision. However, the incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. It was not clear whether the driver of the SUV, who was not identified, will be cited or charged for the fatal accident.
This accident comes in the wake of a number of fatal and serious injury accidents involving San Diego County motorcyclists. This March 21st accident was the fourth motorcyclist fatality this month in San Diego County. Fatal motorcycle accidents were reported March 18th in Escondido, March 17th in Lakeside, and March 10th in Casa De Oro. Additionally, a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash on Thursday March 3rd; another motorcyclist reportedly suffered a leg fracture in a Poway intersection accident on Monday, March 1st.
Wrongful Death Liability
If the CHP determines that the driver of the Lexus SUV caused this crash, he may be liable for the wrongful death of Paul Palika, in addition to possible criminal charges he could face for negligent driving. While this incident remains under investigation, the family members of the victim may benefit from speaking with an experienced and knowledgeable San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer. A skilled attorney with many years of experience representing victims of motorcycle accidents on San Diego freeways can help the family members understand and protect their legal rights to hold the at-fault driver - and any other parties that contributed to this accident - fully accountable.
Continue reading "Oceanside Man Killed in Monday Morning Crash on Interstate 805 " »
CASA DE ORO - A 63-year-old Chula Vista man was tragically killed Thursday morning when an SUV turned into the path of his motorcycle, 10 News reported. The victim, Michael Ennis, was riding a 2009 Kawasaki Concourse east on Campo Road at about 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2010. At the same time, Wendy Antisdel, a 48-year-old Spring Valley woman, was driving a 1998 Jeep Cherokee eastbound. The driver of the Jeep made a left turn directly into the path of Ennis's motorcycle near Merritt Boulevard. According to the CHP, Ennis braked and laid the motorcycle on its side. The bike clipped one of the rear wheels of the Jeep and Ennis was ejected. He was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, but died shortly before 3 p.m. Antisdel reportedly told investigators she was trying to turn into a driveway when the collision occurred. 
RAMONA -- A 68-year-old Ramona woman suffered serious injuries Sunday night when she was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Main Street and Eighth Street, the Ramona Sentinel reported. According to reports, the victim, Darlene Gadberry, was crossing the intersection after purchasing coffee at the Chevron station when she was struck by a pickup truck making a left turn from northbound Eighth Street onto westbound Main street. The driver of the pickup truck, which was either white, or white and silver, continued west without stopping. Gadberry was airlifted to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido with serious injuries, including a broken pelvis, broken rips, and a collapsed lung. 
LOMITA VILLAGE -- A 73-yeear-old bicyclist was killed Sunday morning when he was struck by a Dodge Caravan minivan on Skyline Drive, NBC San Diego reported. The victim, Ignacio Manriques Sanchez, of San Diego, was riding westbound in the 8000 block of Skyline Drive at about 7:30 a.m. when he was struck by a minivan that was also travelling westbound on Skyline. According to police, the 47-year-old woman driving the minivan veered to the right and struck the cyclist in the bike lane. Motorists passing the accident called 911 and although paramedics responded and initiated CPR, Sanchez died of his injuries at the scene of the crash. 
SAN MARCOS - San Diego County Sheriff's deputies arrested a 61-year-old man Thursday afternoon who was suspected of running over a motorcyclist in San Marcos and then feeling the scene. The hit-and-run accident occurred on Montiel Road near Nordahl Road, at about 5:20 p.m. 
POWAY - The North County Times reported a motorcyclist suffered an apparent leg fracture Monday evening at the intersection of Community Road and Poway Road. The motorcyclist, who was not identified, collided with an SUV at the busy intersection. According to San Diego County Sheriff's officials, the collision was reported at 6:34 p.m. on February 28, 2011. No one else was reportedly injured in the collision, the cause of which remains under investigation.
