A motorcyclist (Martin Ramirez Jr., 45, of Los Angeles) and a pedestrian (Nicholas Howell, 46, a homeless man from Huntington Beach) died after a collision on Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach; initial investigation indicates the pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk, and the official cause remains under investigation.
Accident Details So Far
The collision occurred Thursday evening at approximately 8:27 p.m. at Beach Boulevard and Ellis Avenue in Huntington Beach. Soon after the accident, police and paramedics arrived at the scene, where they found both individuals unconscious and pronounced them dead.
The pedestrian may have been crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk, while the motorcyclist was traveling southbound on Beach Boulevard. It is not yet known whether impairment was a factor for either party.
Ongoing Investigation
The Huntington Beach Police Department is investigating the fatality, and authorities are seeking witnesses to the collision as the investigation continues. Personal injury attorney Jake Cohen of Bisnar Chase said the evidence collected, including eyewitness statements and CCTV, will be critical in determining who was at fault and what type of negligence may have occurred.
“We see many pedestrian vs. moving vehicle accidents in California, especially in beach cities,” Cohen said. Pedestrian traffic is also very high on Beach Boulevard and has a history of accidents.
Common Causes of These Collisions
Common causes of accidents between motorcycles and pedestrians often include pedestrians crossing outside designated crosswalks, low visibility or inattentional blindness from motorcycle riders, or distraction or impaired judgment by any party. Because pedestrians typically move slowly, there is a lot of potential for serious injuries or fatalities if they attempt to outrun a motorcycle.
This is a developing investigation.
