A 43-year-old Ceres man lost his life last month while riding his 2006 Harley Davidson near Westley. The fatal motorcycle accident occurred on a Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:15 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol reported that a 27-year-old Patterson man was northbound on Hwy. 33 in a 2012 Ford F-150 pickup truck and tried to turn left onto Frank Cox Road. The motorcyclist was headed southbound when the truck turned in front of him. He hit the truck on his cycle and became lodged into the pickup. Even though he was wearing a helmet, his injuries proved to be fatal. The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office confirmed that he died at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck was uninjured. Investigators with the CHP determined that impairment on drugs or alcohol by either party did not factor into the fatal wreck. It is unknown whether or not the driver of the Ford F-150 was ticketed for his role in the accident.
Riding motorcycles is risky because even when you follow the rules of the road, ride safely and wear helmets and protective gear, there is no way to anticipate the actions of other drivers. Nonetheless, motorcycle aficionados are quite passionate about their cycles and the riding lifestyle.
If you have been injured on a motorcycle or have lost a loved one due to another driver’s negligence or irresponsible driving, you may choose to seek financial compensation for your injuries and loss through the California civil court system. While nothing can bring back your loved one, holding others financially responsible for their actions can be both a deterrent to unsafe driving and also a means of righting a wrong. To learn more about your available legal options, speak with a Santa Ana motorcycle accident lawyer.
Source: Source: Patterson Irrigator, “Fatal accident in Westley claims one life,” No Author Given, June 26, 2014