Motorcycle Accidents

Published on: February 8, 2013

Born to be Wild? Studies Show Aging Bikers are Three Times More Likely to Get Injured

By Brian Chase

Studies over the years have consistently shown that older motorcycle riders are more prone to injuries and fatalities regardless how experienced or healthy they may be. According to an NBC news report, recently, researchers used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and found that there were 1.4 million injuries between 2001 and 2008 involved people over 20 years of age.

The number of injury cases among riders over 50 years of age increased during that time period by 247 percent percent, from 4,352 in 2001 to 15,107 in 2008. It other words, it almost quadrupled in the space of nine years.

How did this happen? The numbers also coincide with the time period when more and more aging baby boomers took to motorcycling. About 15 years ago, motorcycling, which requires quick reaction times, physical dexterity and conditioning, became increasingly popular among the 50 and above age group, according to a study by epidemiologists in Brown University.

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Published on: January 22, 2013

Female Injured in Suspected DUI Motorcycle Accident in Orange County

By Brian Chase

A female motorcyclist in her 50s was critically injured in a suspected DUI crash the afternoon of January 17, 2013, The Orange County Register reports. Officials say the woman was riding her Honda motorcycle eastbound on Collins Avenue near Prospect Street in Orange when she collided with a Mazda 626 pulling out of a residential property.

Officials say the driver of the Mazda, a 26-year-old woman, pulled in front of the motorcyclist as she made a left turn from the private driveway onto westbound Collins. The motorcyclist was transported to a trauma center with life threatening injuries. The driver of the Mazda was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. Anyone with information with this crash is asked to contact Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.

Orange County Crash Statistics

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Published on: October 4, 2012

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Collision with Car in Indio

By Brian Chase

Rolgelio Cabrello, 50, of Indio was seriously injured Monday when his 1998 Yamaha Virago collided with a 2004 Dodge Neon while traveling south on Jackson Street in Indio. The Neon was being driven by Maria Padilla, 52, of Tolleson, Arizona, who was making a left turn onto Interstate 10 directly in Mr. Cabrello’s path, according to myDesert.com. Mr. Cabrello was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs for treatment.
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Published on: September 11, 2012

Costa Mesa Motorcycle Accident Proves Fatal

By Brian Chase

Aaron Dobine, 27, of Laguna Niguel, was killed in a motorcycle crash in Costa Mesa after losing control of his motorcycle. According to a news article in The Orange County Register, the fatal accident occurred the evening of September 10, 2012. California Highway Patrol officials say Dobine was riding a 2010 Harley-Davidson and was making his way from the southbound 405 Freeway to the 73 toll road when he lost control and hit the center median. Dobine was thrown from his motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries. Investigators suspect that Dobine may have been traveling at a high rate of speed. At this time, they do not believe other vehicles were involved. The investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Aaron Dobine who are mourning this terrible loss. I offer my heartfelt condolences to them.
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Published on: September 7, 2012

Deputy Seriously Injured in Lake Forest Accident

By Brian Chase

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy, Tim Africano, suffered major injuries in a Lake Forest motorcycle accident after his cycle hit a patch of wet road and crashed. According to a news report in The Lake Forest Patch, the injury crash occurred as Africano was headed south on Santiago Canyon Road near Ridgeline Road on his police motorcycle, early morning on September 6, 2012. Officials say Africano’s Honda lost traction with the pavement and he was thrown from the motorcycle. He was transported to an area hospital with major injuries. He is expected to survive. The California Highway Patrol is investigating this incident.

My thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Tim Africano as he recovers from his injuries. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Africano was recently honored by his department for the dramatic rescue of a suicidal teen from a ledge of the Banderas Bridge in Rancho Santa Margarita. He held onto the boy until two other deputies helped him pull the boy up.
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Published on: August 16, 2012

Motorcyclist Fatally Injured in Lake Forest Car Accident

By Brian Chase

Steven David Muller, 29, was killed in a Lake Forest car accident after his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle that was turning left at a street intersection. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Peachwood and Palmwood Drive shortly after noon on August 15, 2012. Police say Muller was riding eastbound on Peachwood when the driver of a 2010 Acura made a left turn in front of him. Muller struck the driver’s door of the Acura and was ejected from the bike. He was transported to an area trauma center where he died from his injuries. No arrests or citations have been reported. An investigation is ongoing.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family members and friends of Steven David Muller who are mourning this tragic loss. I offer my heartfelt condolences to them.
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Published on: August 7, 2012

Lake Forest Motorcyclist Injured in Crash

By Brian Chase

Peter H. Reinert, 57, was injured in an Orange Countymotorcycle accident when his 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle veered off the roadway and crashed. According to a City News Service report, the motorcycle crash occurred along the Ortega Highway in Lake Forest the morning of August 3, 2012. Officials say he lost control of his motorcycle, veered off the roadway and was ejected when it hit a boulder. Reinert has been listed in critical condition with injuries to his head, neck, left leg and left ankle. It is unclear what caused Reinert to lose control of his motorcycle.

My thoughts and prayers are with Peter H. Reinert following this tragic Orange County motorcycle crash. I wish him the very best for a complete and speedy recovery.
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Published on: August 3, 2012

Motorcyclist Killed in Orange County Car Crash

By Brian Chase

John Dressler, 27, was killed in a car accident in Irvine after a car struck his motorcycle. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred on southbound 5 Freeway north of Lake Forest Drive the night of August 1, 2012. Officials say the two vehicles collided in the number one lane. Dressler was ejected and his motorcycle caught fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. It is unclear how the collision occurred or if the driver will be cited or charged in connection with this fatal crash. An investigation is ongoing.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of John Dressler for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: July 20, 2012

Orange Motorcycle Accident Injures Rider

By Brian Chase

A man was injured in an Orange County car accident, which officials say, was caused by another vehicle making an unsafe lane change. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the injury crash occurred on the 5 Freeway at the 22 Freeway where it enters the Orange Crush the morning of July 19, 2012. California Highway Patrol officials said that a Chevrolet sedan made an unsafe lane change, forcing the rider on a Harley-Davidson into the side of a Toyota Corolla. The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital for treatment of unknown injuries.

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured motorcyclist. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
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Published on: July 10, 2012

Fatal San Diego Motorcycle Crash Caused by Landscaping Debris

By Brian Chase

Robert R. Jauregui, 40, of Pacific Beach was killed in a San Diego motorcycle accident after a piece of landscaping debris struck his face and knocked him off his motorcycle. According to a 10News report, the fatal crash occurred the morning of July 7, 2012. Jauregui was riding a 2011 Harley Davidson on the ramp from eastbound Interstate 8 to northbound state Route 163 when the incident occurred. The motorcycle was found about 100 yards from the downed rider. Jauregui was pronounced dead at the scene.

My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family and friends of Robert R. Jauregui, the victim of this tragic motorcycle crash. I offer my deepest sympathies to them.
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