A motorcyclist was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver in western Salinas Monday afternoon. A reporter on the scene for KION-TV said the accident occurred along Blanco Road between South David Street and West Alisal Street on March 21, 2022.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Salinas Fire Department responded to the scene shortly after 3:30 p.m. CHP investigators say the motorcyclist was struck while a car traveling west was making a U-turn. The rider was killed in the collision and the driver involved drove off.
There were reports the car’s driver was acting recklessly before the crash. The CHP eventually found the driver and was able to detain the suspect. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash continues. There has been no word on any criminal charges filed in the accident.
Motorcycle Accident Dangers in Salinas and Monterey County
Monterey County is one of the premier destinations for motorcyclists in the world. Unfortunately, careless and reckless drivers can place any rider at risk on any road.
Drivers who cause motorcycle collisions usually say they couldn’t see the motorcycle they hit, but this is just another way of saying they weren’t paying enough attention. Drivers owe everyone on the road a “duty of care” and to operate their vehicles in a manner that doesn’t endanger others.
This legal duty is in place to especially protect those who travel with much less protection than the occupants of vehicles. Motorcyclists, pedestrians, and those on bicycles are all basically defenseless in a collision with a car, SUV, or truck.
The threat to riders is a constant on local roads. The California Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) tracks motorcycle accidents across the state. In 2021 in Monterey County, they recorded an unofficial count of 89 motorcycle accidents for the year. Those accidents led to four tragic deaths and left 103 victims injured.
These accidents are that much more devastating when the responsible driver takes off from the scene and leaves a victim behind. That thoughtless act can delay medical help reaching the victim. And when drivers escape justice, victims and their families can be left with the enormous costs that can arise after a major accident.
A word about motorcycle accidents in Salinas and Monterey County…
After a tragic motorcycle collision in Monterey County, it’s important that family members are informed of the insurance benefits available to them.
You can read more about these cases on my page about motorcycle wrongful death claims in Salinas.
