Fatal Motorcycle Accident Near SBCC

It sickens me to see these ghoulish comments about who was at fault or attempting to be "armchair traffic engineers." Have some respect people. Comment somewhere else about your useless "theories." RIP young man.

As the sister of a dead motorcyclist who took great care to protect himself and ride safely, an accident is an accident in the end. No one wanted this to happen. The driver and motorcyclist both tried their best to avoid a collision to no avail. Now it is time to let their loved ones deal with their life long suffering and grief in their own ways and not have to read any more opinions on who or what was to blame. Nothing will change the outcome they have to deal with but not reading this stuff will help them move forward!

X01660. Please take into account that a great deal of the time drivers just don't see motorcyclists approaching-----at all. I don't care if those headlights are on or the rider is wearing dayglo orange, sometimes "conditions" are such that motorcyclists are often difficult to spot. Riding a motorcycle is dangerous and will only become more so, thanks to population increase, aging drivers and far too many vehicles altogether.

Noozhawk, per SBPD: (NOT arguing, just sharing that report) "The motorcyclist was eastbound in the right-hand lane when a BMW made a right turn onto Cliff, pulling out from City College, Wagner said. The motorcycle rider, whose name was not released, attempted to avoid the BMW by moving into the left-hand lane, Wagner said, but that driver also tried to avoid a collision by moving toward the left lane. At that point, the rider began to fishtail, and attempted to lay down the motorcycle, Wagner said, but was ejected and landed hard in the roadway, suffering major traumatic injuries. Initially police indicated there had been a collision, but Wagner said the motorcycle never struck the BMW.

The sequence of events began as the young man was headed east of Cliff Drive at a very high rate of speed. A car merging onto Cliff form lower Loma Alta began its turn the Motorcycle swerved and began wobbling and hit the median. It was traveling so fast the bike and his body kept traveling for quite a distance about 500 feet or more. The deceased's helmet fell off at some point, not sure what it hit at such force or if the fencing that divides cliff drive was a factor, nevertheless; speed was the biggest factor here . This is based on the info given up to this point, I hope they will release the final investigation soon, with more concrete information.

Please just slow down! Take your time. Leave one place to the next with plenty of time to spare instead of racing from one place to another and speeding won't be necessary. Neither will be stress. Relax and enjoy the music on your radio for once. You will smile a lot more often.

It is not true that violation of right of way trumps excessive speed as a crash cause. It's a judgment call by the investigator, and it can go either way depending on the facts. In this case, due to the limited sight distance exiting SBCC, the driver might have pulled into the intersection before the motorcycle was even in view. If that were the case--and we just don't know yet--he/she would not be at fault. Some general facts about motorcycle crashes in Santa Barbara: Out of around 1000 traffic crashes a year reported by SBPD, 40 or so involve motorcycles (does not include freeway crashes handled by CHP). That's 4%. Of the motorcycle crashes: 80% are non-injury or minor injury; in the past 3 years, there has been only one other motorcyclist death; the rider is at fault less than half the time; in 59%, another driver (or pedestrian or bicyclist) is at fault; in just 15% is the motorcyclist at fault due to excessive speed. (Data from the CHP's statewide database, 2015-2017.) This was a tragic event that took a person's life, and their family will be grieving as the holidays approach. Condolences to all.

Everyone needs to pay attention..... slow down, look around, drive defensively ...... waiting for the officials details

The motorcyclist had the right of way, no matter how fast he was going. Period. This driver cut him off and killed him. The man is gone and his family will never see him again because of someone elses inattentive driving. The victim blaming going on here is un-effing-believable.

Another one?!? This is so sad.... There aren't enough of us motorcylists... but in this case, he epitomized the definition of a "motorcycle squid". Riding too fast for the conditions, probably not wearing his gear, etc..... Motorcycling is serious business, and if you don't give it the respect it deserves, this is the result. RIP, buddy. I hope your crash and death serves as a lesson to all on two wheels; respect the machine, wear your gear, and ride defensively.

I used to teach at SBCC and I remember there was another very serious motorcycle accident at that intersection. It is high time to redesign it.

It's not to “blame” to report the facts. What a horrible accident. Noozhawk reported, “The motorcycle involved is a Yamaha GYTR-R1, a high-performance bike developed primarily for racing.” I wonder why such racing machines are licensed for street usage?

Redesign and permanently close the Cliff entrance/exit and align it just down Loma Alta.

Tragic a high-risk vehicle for a driver whether he is in the right or wrong. Bikers have some of the same problems on public streets. Imagine the carnage of early adolescents without helmets on electric scooters--or deaf/wearing earbuds pedestrians if the kids ride on the sidewalk for "safety".

Just for reference, 99% of all vehicles and motorcycles traveling this route can be considered traveling at high speed. This college exit has dangerous visibility, especially when a bus or two are waiting and reduce visibility by half.

No one needs to be cited. Enough has been seen and done today to make a lasting impact on several young lives. I drive there everyday and it is a horrible set up. Cars are constantly trying to rush out in front of oncoming traffic. You just kinda squint your eyes and pray. I see people in my mirrors getting all irritated but I am never going to play Frogger in my car! I can wait til it is clear both ways with time to spare. So they can too.

It happened closer to 4 p.m. unfortunate so many college youngsters had to witness this, as they were waiting for the bus to pick them up.

Agreed Roger. RIP to the motorcyclist and my thoughts and prayer to his family.

I hope they cite and prosecute the errant driver who pulled out in front of the motorcyclist- F'in idiot!

Traffic is a mess in that area so steer clear of Cliff Drive and Castillo exit by SBCC.