Motorcyclist Killed Near Richard Janson Bridge
On the evening of Wednesday, June 9, 2021, a motorcyclist was killed on Highway 37 in the vicinity of the Richard “Fresh Air” Janson Bridge, which spans Sonoma Creek. The identity of the rider has not yet been released.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a short clip that shows the area where the fatal accident occurred.
Details of the Deadly Highway 37 Incident
The accident occurred at approximately 7:00 p.m. and involved four vehicles. The male motorcyclist was traveling east on 37 when he slowed in advance of traffic that was backed up ahead of him, according to a report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
He was suddenly hit from behind by a Chevrolet Express van, which was being driven by a 38-year-old Vallejo man. The impact knocked the motorcycle off the roadway, and it slid down an embankment.
Multiple Vehicles and Impacts
The van continued on to crash into the rear end of a Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata was propelled forward into the rear of a Dodge Ram truck. At impact, both the Hyundai Sonata and the Ram pickup proceeded to slide down the embankment, but neither vehicle overturned.
Emergency Response Following the Crashes
A CHP helicopter was nearby at the time of the crash. It landed at the site, and responders found the motorcyclist lying in a thicket. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Hyundai Sonata, a 66-year-old woman, was transported to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment.
The accident is still under investigation. A CHP spokesperson indicated that impaired driving was not suspected to be a factor in the incident.
Rear-End Motorcycle Collisions
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps statistics with regard to all types of traffic accidents. In 2013, approximately 88,000 motorcyclists suffered injuries in traffic accidents. Six percent of those were due to the motorcyclist being struck in the rear by the vehicle in the back of them, such as was the case in Wednesday’s tragic incident. These types of accidents frequently occur on city streets as well as highways. As is often the case, the motorist is not paying attention to traffic slowing ahead in time to avoid a collision. When the first stopped vehicle in the approaching motorist’s path is a motorcycle, the results can be catastrophic given the lack of protection surrounding the rider.
Start Seeing Motorcycles
There are several safety campaigns promoted throughout the country every year in hopes of decreasing the annual number of motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities. One of them is “Start Seeing Motorcycles.” Another is “Look Twice, Save a Life.” The slogans are meant to be more than just bumper stickers and sound bites. The intention is to have all motorists remain aware at all times of the presence of motorcycles. With their lower profile, motorcycles often get overlooked in the traffic landscape, which can have tragic consequences. Bikers should be expected to be on the roads at all times. Vehicle motorists should not drive on auto-pilot, but be constantly vigilant of other travelers with whom they share the road.
Novato Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading. It always saddens us to hear of a fatal traffic accident. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a personal injury lawyer serving the community of Novato, California. Our injury lawyers are experienced in handling motorcycle accident cases. We regularly advocate for those who have been injured due to the negligent acts of another. We also have represented many grieving families in their wrongful death claims. If you would like to receive our compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice following a traffic accident, please call my firm at (415) 521-2515. From outside of the local area code, use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400. If you prefer to send your inquiry electronically, we have an online contact form.
Photo: Pixabay
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