Tag Archives: bicycle

Bicyclist Dies in Fatal Newport Beach Crash

A 58 year old woman died in a fatal accident in Newport Beach.

Debra Deem, a Laguna Beach resident, was riding her bike in Newport Beach. She was riding her bike west on the East Coast Highway near Newport Coast Drive. Deem collided into a white minivan at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Deem was wearing a helmet, but she sustained major head trauma. Paramedics responded soon after the crash. Deem was transported to mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. She was put on life support. Unfortunately, Deem later succumbed to her injuries. She was taking off life support, and she passed on Wednesday.

Police were still investigating the crash on Wednesday. It is not clear who is at fault for the accident. No arrests or changes have been made. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash. More details about the crash have not been released.

Bike safety is a serious concern in Newport Beach. Locals have complained that this area is too dangerous for bicyclists. Even experienced bicyclists are in danger on this road. Newport Beach is a popular bicycling location. According to police, there were 106 accidents involving bicyclists in 2012. In September 2012, there were two fatal bicycle accidents. This accident is the third bicycling fatality in Newport Beach in the last 12 month. It is the 6th fatal accident since 2010. There have been over 62 cycling fatalities in Southern California this year. This accident will be the 8th fatal accident in Orange County.

Debra Deem is the wife of Paul Deem. Paul Deem is a former Olympic cyclist and owner of Cycle Werx bike shops located in Costa Mesa and San Clemente.  Paul and Debra Deem were prominent members of the Orange County cycling community.

The Newport Beach Bicycle Master Plan Oversight Committee will meet on September 3rd. This recent death will definitely be part of the discussion. The committee hopes to decrease the number of accidents and improve street safety.

If you or a loved one is ever in a bicycle accident, contact a Newport Beach bicycle accident lawyer. Bicyclists are unfortunately incredibly vulnerable to accidents. A bicyclist is less visible than a vehicle. In the case of a collision, bicyclists are also more vulnerable to injury. This is why many accidents involving bicyclists are often quite serious.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any bicycle accident case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

 

Former City Manager Killed in Crash in Laguna Beach

A former Westminster police chief and city manager, James Mitchell Waller, died in a bicycle accident on Friday.

The collision took place Friday morning. He was riding his bicycle along southbound Highway 133. A Toyota Corolla struck him and another bicyclist at around 8:50 a.m. Waller died at the scene of the accident. The other bicyclist was his friend, Kevin Beach. Beach is also a longtime city employee. Kevin Beach was taken to Mission Hospital. He is currently in serious but stable condition. Both victims are avid bicyclists. This particular stretch of road was one of their favorite routes.

The driver of the Toyota Corolla stayed at the scene of the accident. Currently, no arrests have been made. The exact cause of the accident is still not been determined. California Highway Patrol officers and Sheriff Deputies are investigating the incident.

Witnesses described a horrific scene. The windshield of the Corolla was completely shattered. The bikes were also destroyed and in pieces. One of the cyclists was seen lying facing the ground. He was not moving.

Waller leaves behind a wife and two children. While he was at the Westminster Police Department, he served as a captain, chief’s adjutant, SWAT commander, patrol operations lieutenant, and detective commander. He became chief in 2009. Waller took the Westminster city manager position in early 2011. He retired in July 2012. During his time as city manager, he reduced the city’s budget deficit. His supporters remember him fondly. Waller has done much for the city of Westminster.

A trauma team was sent to the Police Department to help the officers cope with the loss. Both victims were close to the Police Department. Waller influenced many. He will be remembered as a role model and strong leader.

These deaths are an unfortunate story to common among avid bicyclists. Bicyclists are highly susceptible to fatal accidents. In the case of a collision, bicyclists have little protection. If a car collides into a bicyclist, the bicyclist will probably be ejected forward. The bicyclist’s only protection is a helmet. Bicyclists can also easily sustain fatal injuries. If these two men were in a motor vehicle, the collision may have been less serious. A car’s external structure would absorb some of the force of the Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately, bicyclists are susceptible to fatal accidents.

 

If you are ever in a fatal accident, do not hesitate to contact a Westminster car accident lawyer.

 

Teen Bicyclist Struck in Anaheim

Police are looking for a hit and run driver who struck a teenage cyclist in Anaheim.

The hit and run collision took place before midnight Last Wednesday in the 900 block of North Harbor Boulevard near La Palma Avenue. The victim was a teenage male. There is video of the collision. The video shows the victim lying on the ground with a puddle of blood next to him.

The driver fled the scene. The victim was left, with severe injuries, in the street. Luckily, a Good Samaritan pulled over and helped the hit-and-run victim. The Good Samaritan and just finished her shift at Disney’s California Adventure theme park. She pulled over and called 911. She described seeing the victim’s white shirt on the ground. The victim was lying on the ground on his stomach, but he wasn’t moving. His bike was lying next to him. The Good Samaritan could hear him breathing, and immediately called 911.

The victim was rushed to the hospital. He was in critical condition at UC Irvine Medical Center. The victim was treated for severe head injuries. Police believe he is between 16 and 18 years old. Police are still searching for the driver. There is currently no suspect description. Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding the hit-and-run driver.

Bicycle safety is incredibly important. In the case of a bicycle and car collision, the bicyclist will be more likely to sustain injuries than the motorist. Injuries from such collisions are often quite severe. Common injuries include head trauma and internal bleeding. It is important for all bicyclists and motorists to be careful on the road.

Bicyclists must ride as if they are like any other motorists on the road. Each bicyclist must obey all traffic signs and signals. A bicyclist should never ride against traffic. Motorists are not prepared for bicyclists going against traffic. Remember to use hand signals. This is a bicyclist’s only mode of communication with motorists. You should signal not only because it is required by law but also for your own safety. Don’t drive between parked cars. This will make it difficult for motorists to see you. You should follow lane markings. If you need to turn, you should ride in the appropriate turning lane. Bicyclists need to be especially careful while turning. Bicyclists are often in motorists’ blind spots in intersections.

If you are ever in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact an Anaheim car accident lawyer.