Posted by oxnardgirl76 on September 7, 2008 at 5:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

People drive entirely too fast and don't pay attention when they are driving, especially in Oxnard, especially around this area, which is close to where we live. I am so frustrated with the little regard for life on our roads. At C and 9th, there is a school. Every day we hear people driving by at high rates of speed. We saw a dog get mowed down at that intersection, and the driver didn't even tap his brakes. Could have been a child running into the road. We need to remind people that yes, life is valuable and we need to take responsibility for our actions. This is yet another tragic loss of life. My heart goes out to Walter's friends and family.

Posted by santabarbarasand on September 7, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The story makes it sound as though he turned in front of an oncoming car... it is important to make sure that you wait until it is safe to turn onto roads. It's a sad thing that happened and as usual, could have been prevented. In the insurance world these are not called accidents, they are called incidents. This is because they are preventable. There is an increased rate of motorcycle deaths across the nation right now as more are driving them to save gas, to enjoy the weather, etc... but part of the reason for it is that motorcyclists are hard to see and on top of that, many of them take risks that they shouldn't.

Posted by oxnardgirl76 on September 7, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, sounds like the motorcycle did turn in fron of the car, but this intersection has a signalled-only left turn; meaning either the car or the motorcycle ran the red. I have my motorcycle license, but my husband is scared to death because there are so many collisions with riders, so I haven't ridden in a few years.

Posted by keepin_it_real on September 7, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree, It sounds to me too that the motorcycle turned into the front of the car. This is a terrible tragedy. My condolences to the Gordon family and I hope Ayala has a quick recovery.

Frankly, I don't like motorcycles and I don't like the idea of having to share the road with them. I know there are a lot of good motorcycle drivers out there too, but there are many, too many bad ones. It is like I'm here and stay outta my way.

When I am driving, I tense up anytime I see a cycle near me. Most are unpredictable, driving thru the middle of traffic, weaving in and out and speeding.

Recently, I was driving thru town and some idiot was driving down the road on his bike doing wheelies and just weaving in and out of the lane he was driving in. I stayed completly away from him, hoping an officer will happen to show up. The guy had total disrespect for the road or anyone around him.

I also live on a corner street with a 4 way stop. There are some cyclists (Harleys) in my neighborhood, somewhere, who are roaring up and down my street. They seldom stop at the stop sign. One of these days someone will smack in to them, them where will they be? Cyclists have no protection like in a car.

So to those of you who are respectful motorcyclists I applaud you !!! But I still am wary when I am on the road and see one of you ahead of me or in my rearview mirror. And I say that because of the disrespectful ones.

Posted by lilmamma on September 7, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lately I have seen excessive speed,weaving in and out of lanes, and no body armor by motorcyclist. Bike riders need to obey the traffic laws just like motorists. My prayers are with Walter's family.

Posted by sparks240 on September 7, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope this isn't the case with Mr. Gordon, but at some intersections a motorcycle will not trigger the left turn traffic signal. I have had this happen to me many times. You have to either sit and wait for a car to come up behind you and trigger the light, or run the red light. Running the light is illegal and dangerious but sometimes the only option.

Posted by lrgvanman on September 7, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My driving experiences in this metropolis lately have warranted me to look both ways before entering any intersection, much like a pedestrian should, because there is such a high incidence of people running lights and speeding, reasons unknown. People are in a hurry for nothing, and it seems that it is merely to beat the other guy. I send my Sincere Condolences to Mr. Gordon's family and friends.

Posted by lrgvanman on September 7, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, yeah! People, please use your turn signals! Correctly!

Posted by gettheredout on September 7, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keepinitreal said "Frankly, I don't like motorcycles and I don't like the idea of having to share the road with them. "

Thanks a lot oh ignorant one. It is precisely people with attitudes like yours that make it unsafe for those of us who choose to save gas and ride a bicycle or motorcycle.

Get off your cell phones and start paying attention people. We have just as much right to be on the road as those driving the gas guzzling SUV's

Posted by WolfWalker on September 7, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Last week on hamshire rd and thousand oaks Blvd, turning left on to T.O blvd a cycle was trying to pass between cars on the left turn, and almost got squeezed. He backed off until everyone completed the turn.

Another cycle was down on 126 westbound side today (sunday 09/07/08), I was east and saw the emergency vehicles and then the cycle on the shoulder and people working on the person. Don’t know how he was, was hoping the star would have a story on how he was, but doesn’t see anything about it. It was also at the same bridge the bobtail crashed last week.

Posted by WolfWalker on September 7, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don’t mind sharing the road with motorcycles, bicyclist, trucks, cars or even pedestrians. As long as everyone used common courtesy, common sense, and pay attention. The roads would be a lot safer if everyone would use at least these 3 things. Using the “Smith System” also has helped me from accidents, so far. Everyone should use the “Smith System”

Posted by keepin_it_real on September 7, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gettheredout,
First of all, I am a very safe driver. Probably safer than you. I have not been in an accident or received a ticket for over 30 years. I do nothing to make our roads unsafe, nothing.

Also, I do not drive a SUV. I drive a Nissan Sentra and it gets great MPG. I also have a bluetooth speaker attached to my visor that is speach activated and totally hands free. So there you go. Oh, and I am not ignorant either. Maybe you are one of those who are disrespectful on the road and I struck a nerve? hummm...

Those (not all) riders that are on the roads with their attitudes are making our roads unsafe, not me. I stated what I did because of those people and their total disregard for the road and every one around them.

Did you read my last sentance? I suggest you do. If you are one of them I applaude you too. Thats all.

Posted by keepin_it_real on September 7, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gettheredout,

At least I gave my condolences to the family of Gordon and wished Ayala a speedy recovery, which is more than you did.

Posted by mypov on September 8, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so sorry to hear of Walters passing. I would see him around town on his bike sometimes with a young lady but always wearing a full face helmet. I would also see him at a local bar occasionally. He had a young spirit and would make the girls laugh by giving us dating advice and reading our palms. This is so sad.Motorcycles are dangerous but so are young, inexperienced drivers, so who knows what really happened? My sincerest condolences.

Posted by kali.moore on September 8, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I arrived at the intersection right after the accident and saw the man on the ground. I will never forget the site. my condolences to his family.

Posted by exheaven1 on September 8, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is sad. RIP.

I am with lrgvanman. Use your fricken signals!! It doesn't take much effort. Also whenever you are pulling out (right turns, or out of drive ways), try and look BOTH ways because with gas prices the way they are, there are lots of people who walk and ride bikes these days. Just be careful.

Posted by exheaven1 on September 8, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One more thing that bugs me. I commute to and from Westlake on a daily basis for work. I take the 101 so I am going back North when I head home. Sometimes traffic gets congested, and everyone who pays attention knows that motorcycles usually will ride between the fast lane and middle lane. It is important to use your signals here too because I cannot tell you how many people I see "jump" over and don't use their blinker. I just want to get out and bop these idiots on the head. There is no reason for this anyway...dude we are in traffic, we are all going the same speed....SLOW!!! Pay attention to your rear view mirrors, you can always see them coming and move to make a little space for them.

Posted by cflores on September 8, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a Harley rider. I dont "cut lines", ride down the middle, unless traffic is bumper to bumper. Drivers, If my bike throws a rod or seizes a bearing because of excessive heat on the motor I will come to an abrupt halt and fly over my bars into the car rear windshield in front of me. And the driver behind me will run over the bike and me. I AGREE that there are riders out there that zoom by and startle the unsuspecting driver who is just trying to get home. I KNOW that there are riders who ride wheelies. I WITNESSED two speedbikers ride wheelies down the 605 Freeway at speeds in excess of 70MPH and they were doing it while standing up. I DONT condone it. Nor do I like the drivers who peel out, punch it, tailgate, pass too much or flip me off. Common courtesy to all, and to all a good day. We SoCal folks are too much in a hurry, as it is. Why hurry to an early grave? Let's all share the roadway together.

Posted by mypov on September 9, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I still cant believe Walters gone. Thursday nights, just wont be the same. RIP Walter

Posted by guillenyeymi on September 10, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe that in this case Walter was at fault. At this intersection you could only turn on a green arrow. Ayalas light was green and, as witnesses saw, Walters light was red. So you tell me, who was the careless driver?

Many of you think young ppl are careless drivers but old ppl cant see correct and turn where they aren't suppost to.

Motorcyclists are careless drivers and cause accidents all the time.

Well i believe that thigs happen for a reason, and maybe his time on earth was up. RIP

Posted by cider99 on September 22, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it really is a tragedy that someone had to die due to a preventable mistake; however, yes it was Walter's fault. Javi is healing very quickly though to those that are concerned.