Friday, March 4th, 2016 The California Highway Patrol reports that a fatal accident between a Honda CBR motorcycle and a silver Toyota Tacoma picku
Friday, March 4th, 2016
The California Highway Patrol reports that a fatal accident between a Honda CBR motorcycle and a silver Toyota Tacoma pickup truck occurred at approximately 11:20am on Friday, March 4th on Highway 18 that was investigated by the Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team.
Investigators determined that the motorcycle, driven by 35-year-old Michael Garcia, a resident of Artesia, was driving at speeds that were deemed unsafe for the current conditions while traveling northbound on Highway 18. Garcia failed to properly navigate a curve and veered into oncoming traffic.
Garcia collided head-on into the Toyota Tacoma and was thrown from the motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries.
The driver of the Toyota pickup truck, 20-year-old Gustavo Puineda-Vivar of Crestline, suffered lacerations to his right hand. Also in the truck was a passenger, Erika R. Kearney, age 23, of Lake Arrowhead, fortunately, did not suffer any injuries.
The Toyota Tacoma suffered major damage to its front end and both airbags deployed. Garcia’s Honda CBR caught fire and was destroyed.
The accident was investigated by California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Bates.