California Injury Attorneys Blog » Bicycle Accidents

Oakland Biker Pronounced Dead At Scene

mariah — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:29:44 +0000

A motorcycle and minivan, both traveling along Hegenberger Road, collided in Oakland Friday morning. The impact of the crash damaged a side of the Chevrolet van and the driver was not injured. 27-year-old Robert Adams tried to slam on his breaks before the impact, but ended up sliding right into the minivan. Adams ejected onto the road and was pronounced dead at the scene. His bike was totaled in the collision.

Torrance Police Motorcycle Officer Thrown 30 Feet in Air

mariah — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:42:45 +0000

An anonymous Torrance police officer was seriously injured today when he flew 30 feet into the street after colliding with a van while riding his motorcycle. The officer was still conscious and breathing in the emergency room at the UCLA Medical Center where he was treated for major injuries. Apparently at about 7:10 this morning, he was traveling west on Redondo Beach Boulevard when a Dodge Caravan heading east made a left turn in front of him. The officer slammed into the side glass windows of the van and was shot 30 feet in the air, landing in the road. No visible skid marks were on the street, and the driver remained at the scene for help.

Torrance police officer Sergeant Jeremiah Hart says, “The impact was so strong, the doctors are on alert for any internal injuries. It’s still very, very critical”.

Santa Clara County to pay $800,000 for loss of daughter

jamie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:53:18 +0000

In March of 2008, Deputy James Council fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the center line, and struck three bicyclists, killing two and badly injuring the third. Matt Peterson, 29, and Kristy Gough, 30, had both won their divisions at a road-racing event eight days before they were killed. Rip Gough and Karen Clarkson, Kristy’s parents, as well as Matt’s parents, John and Betty Peterson, sued the county in Superior Court. The county came to an agreement in October to pay $1.2 million to Clarkson, and they settled with the Petersons in July for $2.3 million. The third victim, Christopher Knapp, has a lawsuit pending. The most recent information came Thursday, when officials announced that Santa Clara County has agreed to pay the father, Rip Gough, $800,000.

As a result of the tragedy, James Council was sentenced to four months in jail and 800 hours of community service. He pled guilty to two counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Council was also demoted to an unsworn position. He is not allowed to drive a patrol car or carry a gun.

Fatal bicycle accident incurs a “ghost bike” memorial

jamie — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:04:02 +0000

Tracy Milillo, a 22-year-old Emmanuel College graduate, was killed on September 9, of this year while riding her bicycle near 29 Longwood Avenue. A local motorist, who witnessed Ms. Milillo’s bicycle fall to the ground and stayed with her until officials arrived, originally thought he had hit her bicycle with his car, but forensics has shown that is not the case. Captain Michael Gropman of the Brookline police says they do not know why the bike fell, but it was not a result of impact from that car. It simply did not happen. Ms. Milillo died from her injuries within 48 hours after being found unconscious at the scene. To raise awareness of bicycles on the road, a memorial has been set up at the scene of the crash. Included in the memorial is an all white painted bicycle, along with a placard in honor of Ms. Milillo. Flowers have also been placed at the site. The Brookline police department says it is unusual for a “ghost bike” to be placed at the scene, but Davide Watson, executive director of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition says that is a tradition happening at fatal bicycle accident sites all over the country, although the MBC was not a part of placing the bicycle at this site.