Tag Archives: laguna beach

Laguna Beach Crash Kills 2

A single vehicle crash on Laguna Canyon Road killed two men and injured two others.

The accident took place last Thursday afternoon on the Laguna Canyon Road off ramp from southbound 73. It was closed for 12 hours after the crash. At around 5:40 p.m., a 53 year old man was driving a Ford F650 struck a guardrail on the west edge of the off-ramp. The vehicle overturned and landed on its right passenger side.

There were three passengers in the vehicle.  A 42 year old Santa Ana man and 38 year old Stanton man were seated on the right side of the truck. They were both killed in the accident. A third passenger, a 39 year old Santa Ana man, was seated in the left rear area of the truck. He sustained major injuries. The driver also sustained major injuries. The two survivors were taken to Mission Hospital for treatment. Current status of the survivors is not known.  Everyone in the vehicle was wearing seatbelts.

One of the victims was identified as Esteban Dimas Alonzo. The other individuals in the car have not been identified. No other individuals were injured in the crash. The off ramp was closed for about 12 hours after the crash. It was later opened at 5 a.m. Friday morning. No arrests have been made. There is an ongoing investigation into the crash.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact a Laguna Beach car accident lawyer immediately. Survivors of car accidents often sustain serious injuries. Serious injuries may require extensive physical therapy and hospital time. These bills can really add up. You should not have to worry about paying your expenses.  This is why you should a car accident lawyer. A car accident lawyer focuses on all the paperwork and negotiations so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact a Laguna Beach car accident lawyer today. You deserve to be in perfect health. Do not postpone your recovery process any longer. Call us today for a free consultation. Do not worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won.

Laguna Beach Officer in Fatal Crash

Laguna Beach Officer was killed in a crash involving a pickup truck late Saturday.

Jon Coutchie was a 41 year old motorcycle officer. He was travelling northbound on South Coast Highway. Coutchie was trying to find a motorist who had been reported speeding.  Unfortunately, he was broadsided when a GMC pickup attempted to turn onto Cleo Street. The accident took place at around 11:30 p.m.

The GMC pickup truck was attempting to make a left turn. The driver collided into Coutchie’s Honda ST 1300. Coutchie was thrown from the motorcycle. Two officers reported to the scene of the accident. By the time the officers reported to the scene, Coutchie had already succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of the pickup was a 20 year old. The driver stayed at the scene of the accident. Investigators questioned the driver, and he was released. Police do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. The California Highway Patrol is investigation the crash. It is not clear whether Jon Coutchie had his lights or siren on.

Coutchie is the first Laguna Beach officer to die in the line of duty since 1953. Before he was a police officer, he served as an U.S. Army Ranger. He was a ranger from 2003 to 2007. Coutchie joined the military after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and he served two tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Coutchie was given an honorable discharge.

He started working as a part-time jailer at the Laguna Beach Police Department. The Laguna Beach Police Department sponsored him through the Goldenwest Police Academy in 2008. He became an officer in 2009. Captain Jason Kravetz described Coutchie has a hard working officer who was passionate about his job.

Coutchie was well liked in the department. The department is a small department of 47 police officers and 40 non-sworn staff members. This death was a shock to the whole department. The department created a makeshift memorial of flowers, balloons, and an American flag were erected near the scene of the crash. Coutchie is survived by his parents, brother, stepsister, and girlfriend.  The accident took place 11 days before Coutchie’s 42nd birthday.

If you are ever in a motorcycle accident, contact a Laguna Beach motorcycle accident lawyers. Motorcycle accidents are often serious and even fatal. A Laguna Beach motorcycle accident lawyer will make sure you are fairly compensated for all the damages.

 

 

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.

 

Laguna Beach Bike Crashes Increasing

The number of Laguna Beach bicycle crashes has increased significantly this year.

There were seven reported crashes involving bicyclists and motor vehicles, from January 1 through May 19. All of the accidents this year took place during daylight hours. The earliest took place at 9:36t a.m., and the latest occurred at 6:45 p.m. In 2012, there were eight reported bicycle-vehicle crashes. These crashes did not take place until November 4.

Bicycle-vehicle crashes make up only 2% of the city’s total reported crashes. Other crashes are car-car, car-pedestrian, and car-wall. Although bicycle-vehicle crashes make a small percentage of crashes, bike-related crashes often result in serious injuries for the bicyclist. Four of these crashes took place after March 23. All of the bicyclists in these crashes were injured. Two of the bicyclists had to be hospitalized. One of the cyclists suffered from a broken collar.

According to Chris Prelitz, the chairman of the city’s Complete Streets Task Force, Laguna Beach’s stretch of Coast Highway is very dangerous for bicyclists. The street lacks signage for cyclists. In addition to Coast Highway, there are other dangerous streets for cyclists. Two of the accidents, from this year, occurred on Coast Highway. Another two took place on Temple Hills Drive.

Bike safety is incredibly important. Bicyclists should never assume that drivers can see them.  Motorists are often distracted. The driver may be looking at other cars or even texting. Bicyclists should keep a safe distance from drivers. It is also important to review safety rules of the road.

Bicyclists need to follow the rules of the road too. Bicyclists need to be especially careful while making turns. Intersections are the most common locations of car and bike collisions. Drivers may try to turn right and collide into an unseen bicyclist. Be especially careful of parked cars. A parked car may seem harmless, but a car occupant could unexpectedly open a car door. It is best to keep a safe distance from any vehicles.

Motorists also need to be aware and careful of bicyclists. Don’t think of bicyclists as in your way. It is also important to remember how vulnerable bicyclists are. In the case of a collision, the motorists will probably not sustain any injuries. The bicyclists, on the other hand, may sustain very serious injuries. Lastly, pay attention to the road. This will prevent many accidents.

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