A man is injured after a motorcycle accident in Hemet. Robert Bayer was struck by a car at the intersection of Sanderson and Menlo Avenues after the driver made an illegal left turn on a red light and crossed in front of his motorcycle. Mr. Bayer was wearing a helmet, but he was knocked unconscious after his head struck the car’s front bumper. Mr. Bayer was transported to Riverside County Regional Hospital with severe injuries. He is listed in critical condition.

As more people are downsizing their vehicles because of high gas prices, motorcycle and bicycle collisions are rising. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition believes that the amount of bike-commuters has doubled in the past year. The number of motorcycle licenses has also increased in the California from 908,000 in 2002 to over 1 million currently. Consequently, deaths involving motorcycle and bicycle accidents are rising throughout California, as well as the nation. Considering the state of the economy, it is likely that more people will take to the road in motorcycles and bikes, even scooters and mopeds. However, this is not the first time this has happened. Accidents increased several years ago when bikes became more common on the roads because of environmental concerns. In order to reduce the amount of accidents, both cyclists and drivers need to become more aware. Motorists must learn how to share the road properly, and bikers need to follow safety laws, such as observing stop signs. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers classes for new motorcyclists that includes 10 hours of driving instruction.   

One person was killed in an accident in Mount Helix on September 11^th. 23-year-old David Sherbondy was speeding eastbound on Fuerte Drive when he lost control on a curve near the intersection of Karen Way. His vehicle struck a utility pole and concrete pillar and flipped, knocking out some power in the area. Mr. Sherbondy died at the scene of blunt force injuries to his head and chest. His unidentified passenger was flown to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Four people were injured in an incident in Spring Valley on September 10^th. Authorities attempted to pull over 31-year-old Michelle Mercado at the intersection of Jamacha Road and Grand Avenue because they suspected that she was driving while intoxicated and discovered that the vehicle she was driving had been stolen. Ms. Mercado failed to pull over, leading police on a high-speed chase on Route 125 in Chula Vista. She then turned around to go back in the direction of Spring Valley, failing to pay tolls either way. Ms. Mercado then began driving in the wrong direction in the westbound lanes of Route 94. She made a U-turn near Kenwood Drive, causing a collision between a Highway Patrol car and a sheriff’s vehicle. Ms. Mercado then struck a guard rail as she attempted to exit at Spring Street. She attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly caught by authorities. She was transported to the hospital with minor injuries, along with three officers who suffered minor injuries in the crash. Ms. Mercado, who is pregnant, will be facing several charges, including suspicion of auto theft and evading authorities.

A pedestrian was killed in National City on September 6^th. David Lamont Nelson was walking on the southbound side of Interstate 5 when he was struck by a Ford Explorer near the Eighth Street exit. Mr. Nelson was then hit by another vehicle before he was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford Explorer told authorities that she attempted to avoid the man, but she was unable to do so.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2008 - A 16 year old boy suffered serious injuries in Vista when the car he was driving slammed into a tree.  The teen driver was traveling southbound in the 500 block of West California Avenue near Calle Chapultepec at approximately 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, according to a sheriff’s deputy.  He was taken to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.  Authorities suspect drunken driving. The driver, whose name has not been released, was not cited.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 – A Peterbilt dump truck loaded with asphalt ended up in Batiquitos Lagoon after it blew its left rear tire on Interstate 5 in northern San Diego County, California.  The Batiquitos Lagoon is a protected wetland between the cities of Carlsbad and Encinitas, and a nature reserve run by the Calfornia Department of Fish and Game.  It is one of just a few remaining tidal wetlands on the Southern California coastline.

The San Diego truck accident occurred at around 1 a.m. Friday morning on Northbound 5 just north of the La Costa Avenue exit. After the truck blew a tire, the driver struggled to regain control of the four axle truck which was travelling at about 55 m.p.h.  However, after slamming on the brakes, the driver lost control and the truck careened over the guardrail and came to rest on a narrow strip of land on the banks of the lagoon.  The 29 year old driver walked away from the accident and called for help.

The dump truck was travelling to the McClellan-Palomar airport.  Officials estimate that as much as 19 tons of asphalt and 60 gallons of diesel fuel ended up on the banks of the lagoon.  Fortunately, the majority of the pollutants were on the bank and did not end up in the lagoon or the ocean.  The main spill area was a protected nesting area for an endangered bird, the light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus). 

A scientist for the California Department of Fish and Game said the environmental damage will be insignificant.  The mail impact area was about a 30 feet by 75 feet area of land. The asphalt was in a semi-hard state when it hit the water, which was fortunate, and kept the damage from spreading. Cleanup efforts were interrupted by high tide about 1 p.m., and environmental crews were forced to wait until approximately 6 p.m.  on Friday evening to resume work.  The La Costa Avenue entrance ramp was closed on Friday and traffic was jammed for miles most of the day as hazardous materials officers, cleanup workers and scientists from the Department of Fish and Game worked to clean up the damage and minimize the environmental impact.  

An unidentified motorcyclist was killed in Rancho Penasquitos on September 5^th. The 21-year-old man was traveling eastbound on Mercy Road when he lost control entering a curve and struck the center divider. His motorcycle then hit a tree and flipped. Emergency responders administered CPR at the scene, but the man later died at the hospital. Witnesses say the man was traveling over 80 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of the accident.

The South Bay Freeway was jammed and snarled for  hours on Wednesday, September 3, 2008, when a  Porsche 944 travelling at speeds near 120 mph crashed into a big rig tractor-trailer on I-805. 

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal accident occured right about 8 a.m. on I-805 Southbound in Chula Vista, near the Palm Avenue Exit.  Authorities reported that the Porsche burst into flames and the driver died at the scene.  The driver of the truck, who is 28 years old, was not injured, according to a CHP officer.

Two motorcyclists were killed on Route 74 on August 29^th and 30^th. 66-year-old Jerrald Jarvis was traveling on part of Route 74 referred to as Idyllwild National Forest Highway on August 29^th when he struck a delivery truck at mile marker 57.7. Mr. Jarvis was thrown from his motorcycle and then hit by an SUV. He later died at Hemet Valley Medical Center. The next day, 38-year-old George Miller lost control of his motorcycle at mile marker 56.6. Mr. Miller’s motorcycle then collided with a minivan. He died at the scene ten minutes later.