A motorcyclist lost the lower part of a leg recently when a hit-and-run driver crashed into him after his motorcycle became disabled on I-15 in Lake Elsinore.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was last reported in critical but stable condition. There were no witnesses to the crash, but California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers are still seeking information to identify the driver who fled the scene.
Engine Trouble Turns to Tragedy
The chain of events that led to the biker’s injury began around 11 p.m. on August 29, when his motorcycle had engine trouble. That much isn’t in doubt, but there have been conflicting reports of what happened next.
Initial reports suggested the biker may have still been on the bike when he was struck, but CHP stated that the man was trying to cross the highway on foot at the time of the crash. His reasons for doing this aren’t known, but there are numerous businesses in the area (near the Central Ave. interchange with I-15), at least one of which is open twenty-four hours, so he may have been seeking assistance.
Vehicle parts were collected at the scene, but it’s not clear whether this was debris from the car that struck him or if the motorcycle was also hit in the crash.
Best Efforts by Responders
Part of this story would sound like something out of a horror movie if it wasn’t so real and so tragic: Despite a search by police officers and paramedics, the victim’s leg could not be found along the dark road for more than six hours. There was no word on whether surgical reattachment was attempted or if the delay or crash damage ruled that out.
Days Later, Another Incident
Only a few days later, another motorcyclist was killed in a separate hit-and-run crash near the same Lake Elsinore interchange. Just before 7 p.m. on September 1, the driver of a passenger car struck and killed a biker and then attempted to flee on foot.
Justice for the slain biker might be more likely, at least so far—CHP caught up with that driver near the scene, and he’s reportedly being held on several very serious charges, with bail set at $1 million. Alcohol and drugs may have been factors in that crash.
Riverside County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle operators are victims of crashes that cause injury and death at a rate much greater than what other motorists experience. But they shouldn’t suffer more or be compensated less than others, so when you’ve been hurt in a crash, you need to make sure you have a team on your side that will fight to win the resources you need for a full recovery.
The attorneys at Kohan & Bablove, LLP have extensive experience with motorcycle accident law, and we offer a free consultation to every client. Give us a call today at 1-844-404-2400 or complete the online contact form at the bottom of the page.
