Many news reports about distracted driving focus on issues such as cellphone use, electronic gadgets or distractions created by other passengers in a vehicle. San Francisco personal injury attorneys know that distractions come in a wide variety of forms. California’s roads can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists even when drivers are not distracted, as many motorists simply fail to see a motorcycle approaching.
Distraction may have been a factor in a recent fatal California motorcycle accident on Interstate 5. A 49-year-old Poway man was killed after being ejected from his 2004 Harley Davidson Road King in a high speed collision. Police say the driver of the car involved in the accident says an ash dropped from his cigarette and into his lap before the fatal motorcycle accident.
Police say a Nissan 350Z was traveling an estimated 70 miles per hour in the fast lane of I-5 when the car drifted to the left and hit the dirt median. The California Highway Patrol says the 23-year-old driver of the Nissan lost control of his vehicle. The Nissan veered to the right, crossing lanes in the same direction of traffic and then slammed into the Harley. The motorcyclist was killed in the accident and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Nissan reportedly is a Marine who was en route to Camp Pendleton at the time of the fatal accident. The 23-year-old man who may have been distracted before the accident could face criminal vehicular manslaughter charges related to the collision.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune, “Motorcyclist in fatal crash identified,” Debbi Baker, Nov. 19, 2011
