Los Gatos motorcyclist killed in Santa Cruz Mountains crash

[NorCalBusa]

Murky news: https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/19/los-gatos-motorcyclist-killed-in-santa-cruz-mountains-crash/

SANTA CRUZ — A 68-year-old Los Gatos motorcyclist died Wednesday morning in a collision with an SUV on Soquel San Jose Road.

The motorcyclist was driving a blue 2012 BMW southbound on Soquel San Jose Road, north of Old Turnpike Road, when the crash occurred around 9:40 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. A 64-year-old male Aptos resident in a green 2023 Subaru Forester was traveling northbound at an undetermined speed with two passengers and three dogs at the time, according to the CHP.
The crash occurred after the helmet-wearing BMW driver, for undetermined reasons, hit the asphalt roadway and continued traveling southeast until it collided with the Subaru. The man suffered major injuries and was declared dead at the scene, despite lifesaving efforts, according to the CHP. Occupants of the Subaru reportedly were uninjured.

You may not have heard of Old Turnpike Rd unless, like me, you loath main roads when something twisty can be had. It parallels (on the north side) San Jose- Soquel Rd. I've never seen other motorcycles on it the times I've ridden it, but that isn't a statistic to be sure. That the man was local (Los Gatos) and older, I suspect he's ridden it before- so perhaps a medical emergency he experienced caused the crash (<-- thinking aloud, I sure don't know). Godspeed.

 

[budman]

Feels for the rider and his family and friends.

 

[Enchanter]

Since this is in the CA Forum (A place to learn from our mishaps),

Why jump straight to medical emergency as a cause factor and skip past lower temperatures, damp surface, surface debris, and curvy road?

 

[mean dad]

Not even ten in the morning, definitely cold possibly damp conditions. More than likely an unfortunate incident with disastrous consequences.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Without more published info, we are all left to speculate based on what we know and to lesser degree things we do not. MY assumption was at mid-60's, 2 (I think it said) yr old bimmer, and living in Los Gatos (data points that were published) - he is unlikely to be a new rider unfamiliar with changing conditions or the bike's capabilities. Or he's brand new riding and bought a used BMW- oddly noticing when he turned his right wrist things happen much faster.

Keep an eye out for an update from CHP, we may miss it and learn nothing.

 

[Enchanter]

Not even ten in the morning, definitely cold possibly damp conditions. More than likely an unfortunate incident with disastrous consequences.

And with the recent rains, wet debris along the edges and down the center of the road, and likely in the center of the lane. A slight miscalculation on lane placement, and down you go.

Without more published info, we are all left to speculate based on what we know and to lesser degree things we do not. MY assumption was at mid-60's, 2 (I think it said) yr old bimmer, and living in Los Gatos (data points that were published) - he is unlikely to be a new rider unfamiliar with changing conditions or the bike's capabilities. Or he's brand new riding and bought a used BMW- oddly noticing when he turned his right wrist things happen much faster.

Keep an eye out for an update from CHP, we may miss it and learn nothing.

With automobiles far out numbering motorcycles, I would think that there would be many more car crashes related to medical events, and frankly I rarely hear of them. Does that mean they don't happen? No, but I would suspect the media would share them, and we'd hear about them. Medical events are underrepresented in cause factors.

From a moto-safety viewpoint, pointing towards a medical condition leaves us nothing to learn from this event. "Just another old-guy crashing. He should have stopped riding long ago." If we discuss the more likely scenario of environmental conditions, we can relate it to ourselves and our skill-set. Slow down, be smoother on the controls, be careful after windy weather and rain goes through the area.

If we gather all the auto or motorcycle crashes we've heard of since god made dirt, how many we're influenced by poor judgement, or lack of skill vs. medical event? I suspect the ratio is vastly skewed towards lack of skill and poor judgement and not a medical event.

I seem to remember that some people were talking about a medical event causing the rider to rear-end Doc Wong a couple years ago. They blazed right past bump road, high speed, and riding like an asshat. WTF?

 

[NorCalBusa]

I'd suggest riding with a known medical disability as using poor judgement as well. Media only knows what CHP tells them about crashes, there is no independent follow up by anyone/thing save insurance companies. The beauty of speculation and the danger of it, are both unlimited. If nothing "points" to a medical condition, and especially if no other party is hurt- I doubt much digging occurs by the Coroner or anyone else..

 

[Enchanter]

OK, let me bring it back to the intent of the Crash Analysis forum:

Given the limited information available, what can we learn from this event that we can immediately apply to our next ride?

 

[ThumperX]

One thing I have noticed as I age (64 1/2 atm) is that it takes more energy to stay focused and fatigue sets in more quickly. Relying only on the article, I have to wonder if the rider was distracted (if only by greasy road conditions) and as a result his reaction time was retarded. WE have only a miniscule amount of information making me wonder why this is in CA and not General?

 

[dravnx]

With no information, drawing any kind of conclusion or even speculation is a waste of air unless you value the energy expended making unfounded conclusions and speculations. There is nothing to learn without more information.

 

[Enchanter]

We know he fell and slid into, or into the path of the car.

Multiple things can be considered. When I heard of this crash I wondered, hmm if it can happen to him, maybe it can happen to me. Am I as careful as I should be or am I getting complacent? I’ll pay more attention to the road surface and my input to the controls. I’ll take a better look at the condition of my gear and the motorcycle. I don’t know the condition of his tires, but this is a reminder to check mine. Yada, yada, yada.

 

[NorCalBusa]

OK, let me bring it back to the intent of the Crash Analysis forum:

Given the limited information available, what can we learn from this event that we can immediately apply to our next ride?

Not sure that's addressed to me or someone else, but;
With only what we know so far;
1. Are you riding with a known medical condition that could cause such an event? If so, chat with your Doc about that decision.
2. Do you ride known roads with risky conditions at a higher pace than you should? Might be what happened here, consider taking it down a notch or at least ride a scoping trip up and back to see what awaits you.

I'm not sure the article was correct, CHP had it on Old Turnpike Road "near" SJ-Soquel Rd. in their scene call. No idea who had it correctly- them or the MurkyNews. OTR is more goaty for sure.

 

[ThumperX]

We also know that the vehicle that struck the motorcyclist was traveling with 3 dogs in the car. The driver may have been distracted. I find it interesting that the ages were listens of both operators.

 

[Enchanter]

Given the description of the crash, I suspect the motorcycle stuck the car or slid into the path of the car and was struck. This can be a very important fact to the occupants of the car. Years ago I joined a group of BARFer's that met with the driver of the truck that was hit by a motorcycle on a group ride. The rider lost their life in the crash. The driver of the truck was (understandably) quite shaken up over it and had an overt emotional reaction when someone at the table inaccurately said he hit the motorcycle. We tend to forget how our actions affect car drivers in tragic events as well as our day to day behavior.

 

[ThumperX]

I learned this lesson dealing with fatalities when I worked for Progressive. I only mentioned that the driver may have been distracted, because when I drive around with the dogs they’re normally easy but when they’re excited (headed towards the beach) my reaction time slows.

This crash is awful for everyone, including those of us reading about it.

 

[ST Guy]

Note: Dogs should always be wearing a car harness and be strapped in for their own safety. And for the occupants safety.

 

[Gary856]

I'm not sure the article was correct, CHP had it on Old Turnpike Road "near" SJ-Soquel Rd. in their scene call. No idea who had it correctly- them or the MurkyNews. OTR is more goaty for sure.

I bet the incident happened on SJ0-Soquel Rd, near Old Turnpike, but not on Old Turnpike.

Old Turnpike Rd is goaty (single lane, twisty and rough, and dead ends) where you wouldn't normally ride much faster than 15 mph, and a car is likely to go even slower, so I think it's unlikely a rider got off and slid into a car there.

SJ-Soquel's posted speed limit is 40 mph, but you can go 55-60 mph in the turns without trying too hard.

 

[tzrider]

There is nothing in that article that gives me any idea why the rider crashed. At this point, any attempts at analysis are baseless speculation IMO.

 

[Enchanter]

Even with the minimal information about this specific crash, it is my opinion that it presented a learning opportunity. We could have had a productive discussion with the focus on improving our mental skills. I'm confused why others were unable and willing to do so.

Thread closed.