Motorcyclist killed in crash in front of middle school
A 46-year-old Ramona motorcyclist was killed when the driver of a Dodge sedan made a U-turn directly in the cyclist’s path in front of Olive Peirce Middle School about 5:10 p.m. on Tuesday, reported the California Highway Patrol.
Mark Anthony Taylor, who was westbound on a 1993 Honda motorcycle in the 1600 block of Hanson Lane, was unable to avoid the collision, said CHP Officer Brian Pennings.
The force of the collision ejected Taylor from his bike and he suffered major injuries. Advanced cardiac life support measures initiated in an effort to revive Taylor failed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, said the medical examiner’s office.
Katrina Flippin, 28, also of Ramona, was westbound on Hanson Lane when she pulled to the right shoulder in anticipation of executing a U-turn, said Pennings. She told officers she had checked the driver’s side mirror and started to make the U-turn.
“Mr. Taylor had little or no time to react,” said Pennings, and the motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the car.
Flippin, who was driving a rental car she told officers her fiance had rented, does not have a driver’s license, said Pennings. She was uninjured.
At this time there is no evidence that drugs or alcohol were a factor, Pennings said.
Hanson Lane was closed for cleanup and investigation after the accident.
“It was challenging for us, because it was in front of the school and there were a lot of kids coming and going,” said Pennings.
Taylor’s body was covered, but officers attempted to steer students away from the scene.
“If we saw kids approaching, we sent them in the other direction,” said Pennings.
San Diego County sheriff’s deputies assisted with traffic control, he said.
Pennings said on Thursday that it is too early to say what charges, if any, will be filed. The evidence will be presented to the district attorney’s office and it will be up to the district attorney to decide, he explained.
A thorough mechanical inspection of both vehicles will be taken, said Pennings.