Note: This is preliminary information and NOT verified.
Accident Information
| When: | Saturday, 26 April 2008, just before 4pm |
| Prior: | On Saturday, several of his neighbors were having a joint garage sale. They said he hung out and helped them until around noon. The accident happened around 4pm and he was heading toward home; from where, we don't know. We do know he bought gas 1/2 mile away and 4 minutes before the accident. |
| Motorcycles: | David drove a motorcycle simply for economics; not because he could get there faster, not for the thrill. He always wore a helmet, boots, protective clothing. We do not know precisely what he was wearing at the time of the accident. The only apparel returned by the hospital were his shoes, sock (one), belt, and helmet. |
| Where: | Foothill Blvd at Towne Center Drive in the city of La Verne. |
| Who: | - An unlicensed 60 year old man from Oregon driving a
green 2006 Chrysler
Sebring - A 27 year old local woman and her two sons, ages 5 and 10, driving a silver 2007 Toyota Camry |
| Accident: | David was travelling Westbound on
Foothill Blvd; the woman was travelling Eastbound on Foothill. The man
was driving Northbound on Towne Center, intending to turn left
(Westbound) on Foothill Blvd. The man allegedly ran a red light, hit the woman, then bounced off her and into David's path. Apparently David saw it coming because we've been told he "layed the bike down". He then rolled and struck the passenger door of the man's Sebring. The Camry was totaled. We are not sure of the extent of damages to the Sebring. We have been told one of the other drivers sustained moderate injuries, but it is not clear which driver. The children were not injured. |
Treatment
The emergency responders determined he needed to be taken to a trauma care center with the highest level rating, so the decision was made to airlift him to such a center rather than transport him by ambulance to the closest ER. The only available helicopter was flown in from Palm Springs.
He was transported to LA County General (County/USC) in downtown Los Angeles.
Reportedly he was conscious and responding at the scene. In transit, he went into cardio-pulmonary arrest; resuscitation efforts ensued. Upon arrival at the hospital, the doctors determined there was fluid around his heart, likely blood. They did open heart surgery and found a tear in the back of his heart. They repaired it but he stopped breathing. He was put on a ventilator but they were unable to stabilize him or revive him. All available measures were used. The doctor clearly expressed his dismay at being unable to save him.
The accident was first reported at 3:55pm; he was declared dead at 5:15pm. An autopsy was conducted but we have not yet seen the report. The death certificate states cause of death as blunt force trauma to the chest.
A complete investigation is underway; the final report will be available in about 30 days. The report will be submitted to the District Attorney for possible criminal charges.
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin - Monday, 28 April 2008