Jody D. Powell, 46, was killed in a Santa Barbara County motorcycle accident on July 6, 2009, according to a news report in the Ventura County Star. California Highway Patrol officials said Powell was traveling eastbound when the motorcycle accident occurred on Stagecoach Road near Paradise Road in Los Padres National Forest. Powell was apparently passing a friend who was riding a motorcycle, then accelerated into a right-hand curve in the two-lane road and drifted into the opposing lane. Powell struck a car traveling westbound at 10 to 15 mph and was ejected. Powell died at the scene. CHP officers are looking into whether alcohol was involved in this motorcycle accident.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jody Powell for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. Please keep them in your prayers.
According to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), in 2007, there were 50 fatalities and 2,886 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Santa Barbara County.
Based on this newspaper report, it is not quite clear what exactly caused this fatal motorcycle crash. Of course, investigators are looking into whether Powell was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, but that has not been confirmed yet. There may have been other reasons why this fatal crash occurred. If I were a family member I'd want to know what caused this tragic motorcycle accident and how Powell lost control of his motorcycle. Was there a dangerous condition on that highway that caused him to crash? Was there a mechanical malfunction or a product defect in the motorcycle that may have led Powell to lose control?
Powell's family would be well advised to contact an experienced California motorcycle accident attorney who will help determine what caused this horrific motorcycle collision. A skilled California personal injury lawyer will carefully examine the facts of this case and look into any possible negligence, any dangerous roadway conditions and product defects or mechanical problems with the motorcycle.
SLS Consulting