Crash Causes Traffic Snarl

[PeteSC]

Crash Causes Traffic Snarl
By Michael P. Neufeld

 
 
 
 
 
 
Witnesses saw an horrific scene Sunday morning when a motorcyclist plunged to his death on Highway 18 after apparently losing control of his 2001 Honda CBR600 after striking a guardrail at Upper Bonnie Wee Canyon.

A SigAlert basically closing down Highway 18 was issued shortly after the 10:10 a.m. accident that resulted in the death of 22-year-old Denny Kurniawan of Colton. Once officers cleared the roadway, Highway 18 was reopened with one lane in either direction from 12:56 p.m. to 2:41 p.m.

Investigating California Highway Patrol officers were reportedly told by witnesses Kurniawan's motorcycle was "racing" a second motorcycle at a high rate of speed when the accident happened and the victim went over the guardrail plunging about 150 feet to his death.

Crest Forest Fire District paramedics responded and found Kurniawan's lifeless body lying in a small stream at the bottom of the canyon. Paramedics confirmed the fatality and the San Bernardino County Coroner was summoned. The deputy coroner officially pronounced him dead at the scene and listed the time of death as 10:10 a.m.

The red and white motorcycle driven by Kurniawan was traveling southbound on Highway 18 and for unknown reasons the driver lost control while approaching a left curve in the roadway. The Honda impacted the metal guardrail on the north shoulder catapulting the victim over the rail.

Investigators indicate the Honda was deflected back onto Highway 18 across all lanes of traffic and came to rest blocking the number two lane of northbound Highway 18.

The tow company assigned to pick up the motorcycle, Bill and Wags, got stuck in the SigAlert traffic coming up Highway 18 about a mile below the accident scene. CHP and San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies ran a traffic break so the tow truck could reach Upper Bonnie Wee Canyon at 12:47 p.m. Members of the Rim of the World Search and Rescue team were summoned to the scene at 11:30 a.m. to assist with the recovery of Kurniawan's body, which had to be brought out of the canyon. That procedure involved using a cable attached to a CHP unit to help pull the lightweight gurney through heavy brush and around large rocks on the hillside.

Search and Rescue volunteers directed by Fred Palmer completed the recovery with the assistance of the Coroner and CHP officers at the scene at 1:55 p.m. Meanwhile, investigators marked the roadway with bright pink spray paint including one circle around the victim's helmet and another around the license plate. Weather at the time of the fatal accident was described as clear and warm.

In the last two years, two other motorcyclists have died in accidents on Highway 18 between Crestline and San Bernardino. A Crestline man was killed June 19, 2003 when his motorcycle hit a guardrail and on Oct. 2, 2003 a Riverside man died when he apparently lost control of his motorcycle and at a high rate of speed, left the roadway and tumbled down an embankment.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 3,927 motorcycle fatalities in 2004 representing a 7.3 percent increase over the 3,661 deaths in 2003. Last year was the seventh year in a row motorcycle fatalities had increased.

While the investigation is ongoing, the CHP would like to talk with the driver of the second motorcycle described as a racing bike possibly blue, back and white. The unknown driver of that motorcycle was wearing a racing suit to match his vehicle and reportedly stopped, looked over the side of the railing, saw Kurniawan lying in the creek bed and then took off.

Persons with information about the accident and second motorcyclist are urged to call the CHP at (909) 867-2791.



Dunno.  I'm not sure I'd stick around as the second rider in this situation, but I'd doubt I'd be 'racing' a second bike on a public road.
   One problem is, if you happen to be 'riding in a spirited fashion' on the same road with another bike, whether or not you're actually together, witnesses will always say you're 'racing'.  You're kind of screwed.......