Rider down: In Front of MV High School

Discussion in 'Rider Down' started by trailninja, Mar 15, 2013.

  1. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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    Sorry to hear this Kelly. My prayers and condolences go out to your family.
     
  2. ocdingbat

    ocdingbat Member

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    So sorry to hear this!! It doesnt matter who's fault it is. A man is no longer with us and his loved ones are now the affected ones. Condolences to the family. There is now another angel in biker heaven.
     
  3. jimw2112

    jimw2112 Member

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    IF in fact this was caused by a tire blowout, sad as it is, it was an accident. It concerns me that a cyclist was hit so near to a school. It very easily could've been a kid riding his bike to school. (do they even do that any more?) I don't completely agree that "it doesn't matter who's fault it is," My condolences to the family.
     
  4. Aviatrix

    Aviatrix Active Member

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    I've passed along your thoughts and prayers to the Billings family. They appreciate all the kind words. I didn't know Eric, but my sister-in-law (his niece) spoke very fondly of him and it was clear that a very special person was lost.
     
  5. ridinrox

    ridinrox Well-Known Member

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    I've avoided this thread bc I hate hearing about these accidents; it's worse when it's your friend's close relative or family member.

    My condolences Kelly...huge hug going your way.
     
  6. Aviatrix

    Aviatrix Active Member

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    From my sister-in-law:

    OC friends this is from my cousin please call if you know anything or send it to anyone you think might. Thanks

    Friday, March 15, around 6:30PM, near the intersection of El Toro and Santa Margarita Parkway Eric Billings was riding his bike and was struck by a car and killed. 911 received many calls but the police were not able to talk to any eye witnesses at the time. If you or anyone you know may have any information about the accident please contact Ashley Billings Moffat on facebook or call the OC sheriff's traffic unit at (949) 425-1860.
     
  7. Waldo

    Waldo Lebowski Urban Achiever

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    So sorry to read this. That is such a busy area that there had to have been multiple people who saw what happened. Please, if you're out there, consider how you'd fel if it was your loved one. Do the right thing and come forward.

    Aviatrix, my deepest sympathies for your loss.
     
  8. bconneraz

    bconneraz Member

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    The spot of this tragic event is on my regular commute; when I rode home last Saturday, I stopped to pay my respects. I hope someone will come forward.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  9. trailninja

    trailninja Going Slideways!!!!

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    I don't want to restart such a saddening thread but the OC Sheriff's setup a checkpoint today in front of Trabuco High School. They were passing out flyers to try and interview anyone who witnessed the fatal accident. Sadly it sounds as if nobody has come forward as a witness. If you know someone who witnessed the accident on Mar. 15 @ 6:48pm please contact:

    OC Sheriff's Department
    Deputy S Stewart
    949-425-1860
     
  10. slapshotz

    slapshotz Member

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  11. Aviatrix

    Aviatrix Active Member

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    She was ID'd at the scene. It was in one of the first news stories. Yes, they are STILL looking for witnesses so please share on your facebook (those of you who have them) and pass around to your friends and family. Hopefully some witness will come forward. This happened at rush hour, so many people saw it. I hope for my sister-in-laws family that they get some answers. It won't bring him back, but it may bring those left behind a little closer to peace.
     
  12. dmbfan028

    dmbfan028 New Member

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    I just left a message for Deputy Stewart, I did not see it happen but I'm pretty sure i was the first person to see the aftermath, I was driving down the other side of the road heading to Wahoo's and saw the SUV coming down off the sidewalk. The SUV was alone, there were no other cars around him at the time of the accident, but a large wave of cars started up the hill shortly after. So I'm guessing there were no witnesses that saw the actual event. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.
     
  13. MojoCP

    MojoCP New Member

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    You'd think they could figure out this whole "blown tire" thing from the skid analysis and the state of the rim after hitting the sidewalk (either cushioned by the tire or already deflated). Is the blown tire thing still the driver's explanation?
     
  14. Heyitsdave

    Heyitsdave Member

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    Blown tire......What a crock.
     
  15. slapshotz

    slapshotz Member

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    Call me cynical, but I bet an examination of cell phone records/text messaging records may reveal the reason a single car veered off the road
     
  16. northshore

    northshore Active Member

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    Man.....RIP...I work around there and that one intersection has claimed too many lives.
     
  17. bconneraz

    bconneraz Member

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    I've got to agree with you, especially considering the driver has been ticketed in the past for driving while using a phone.
     
  18. fos'l

    fos'l Member

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    Can't the authorities subpoena cell phone records in an instance like this? I THINK she could be charged with manslaughter if they can verify she was on the phone at the time of the "accident". I would try to pursue this aspect if I were a family member, especially since there may be no witnesses to the incident.
     
  19. trailninja

    trailninja Going Slideways!!!!

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    Actually a blown tire could have resulted in this chaos. I experienced first hand last summer what a blown tire could do on the freeway. My wife was driving alone when her front passenger tire blew out. She lost control from the middle lane to the slow lane crashed into the rear of the CHP squad car that was pulled over on the right of the freeway ended up in the carpool lane and was nearly hit by two trucks. We purchased a full set of Goodyear tires 6 months earlier. That night I googled the make and model of her tires to see if there were any reported issues. To my surprise over 60 complaints were reported with Goodyear Eagles blowing out. We tried to sue the manufacturer but the lawyers said that it would be tuff to prove even though photos I took at the scene clearly shown that the tire had blown out.
     
  20. Heyitsdave

    Heyitsdave Member

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    Sorry that happened to you. But to me, the difference is you were driving on the freeway. Higher speeds create more heat and a tire that may look ok could fail. This I am not arguing. However, on surface streets,slower, stop and go it's a different story.If a tire blew out under those circumstances, I'd question it's condition. So, which was it, negligence for driving around on worn out tires or did she drive up onto the sidewalk by her inattention?
     

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