HEMET: Blinding morning sun blamed in fatal car versus motorcycle accident
A CHP officer is seen performing chest compressions on the downed motorcyclist. Several officers, medics and firefighters took turns performing CPR on the fatally injured rider. John Strangis photo
HEMET – A motorcyclist died Wednesday morning, April 12, after he was struck from behind by a driver who said she had not seen the motorcycle before smashing into it. The driver told investigating officers she had been temporarily blinded by the morning sunlight and never saw the motorcyclist prior to the impact. The deadly collision happened at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Warren Road in Hemet.
A motorcyclist died this morning after he was struck from behind by a motorist who was reportedly blinded by the rising sun. John Strangis photo
City of Hemet Fire and Police Departments and other emergency first responders were dispatched to the scene of the fatal wreck about 7:04 a.m., after multiple motorists and witnesses called 911 to report the crash.
Hemet PD and CHP officers began arriving on scene within minutes of the dispatched call and found the motorcyclist down in the roadway. The rider had sustained major head trauma and was unresponsive.
“Officers from Hemet Police Department and the California Highway Patrol performed CPR on the motorcyclist until they were relieved by paramedics,” Hemet Police Sgt. Dan Reinbolt said in a written press release after the fatal collision.
“Unfortunately lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene,” Reinbolt explained.
The name of the motorcyclist was not released, pending notification of his family.
Some citizens helped with treating the fatally injured motorcyclist while others helped by directing traffic. John Strangis photo
In the aftermath of the tragic accident, several citizens were seen helping treat and provide comfort to the downed rider, helping paramedics treat the victim and directing traffic away from the deadly scene.
Officers from Hemet PD’s Traffic Division responded to the accident scene and assumed the investigation.
The driver of the vehicle that smashed into the motorcyclist, a 29-year-old Menifee resident, remained at the scene of the crash and she was fully cooperating with officers investigating the deadly collision.
During their investigation officers determined the Menifee resident was driving a Pontiac Grand-Am eastbound, towards the rising morning sun, when she collided into a motorcycle at the intersection.
The Pontiac driver told investigating officers she had not seen the motorcycle stopped in front of her because the morning sun was in her eyes.
She suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision and was transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Officials raced to provide lifesaving measures to the motorcyclist, who died at the scene. John Strangis photo
“At this time, it does not appear the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” Reinbolt said. “However, the investigation is ongoing.
Florida Avenue was temporarily closed between California and Cawston Avenues and Warren Road was closed between Stetson and Devonshire Avenues, while officials investigated the cause of the accident and the damaged car and destroyed motorcycle were removed from the roadway.
The roads were closed for about three hours and reopened to through traffic about 10 a.m.
Hemet Police officials have asked that anyone with information about this accident or who witnessed the deadly crash to contact Hemet Police Department Traffic Division at (951) 765-2400.
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Warning: video shows life-saving efforts being provided to the victim. Some viewers might find the video disturbing.
John Strangis video
This is a developing story. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.
RIP Sir. Prayers going up for ur loved ones and prayers for the female who hit the gentleman .
His name was David Yuill. He was an amazing person who was taken for no reason. He was a wonderful husband and great father to two daughters and a one month old son. His family has a gofundme https://www.gofundme.com/the-yuill-family-support-fund
Was the signal light RED? Are you required to slow down before stopping for a RED light. Was the driver of the car going to run the RED light? Did anyone check to see if the lady was talking on her phone? Was the motorcycle Stopped at a RED light? Whatever!!! KILL A PERSON RIDING A MOTORCYCLE AND GO TO JAIL.