What was one of the best rides I have been on in a long time, ended in tradegy earlier this evening in Los Gatos, 12 of my friends (9 bikes) started out in san Lorenzo, went across the San Mateo bridge Half Moon Bay, up thru Shyline blvd, ate breakfast at Alice's restaurant, went to the beach, then on down to santa Cruz highway 1. Corndogs at the wharf, stopped at HD santa cruz, we took our time the entire way there, was nice not to rush to the next stop. one of the guys decided it was time to buy a full face helmut while at HD dealership, and chuck the skid lid. I tried to talk him outta of it, telling him , my good friend Jim can sell him one for a couple hundred less, if he would wait till we got back to town, he said , he wanted one for the ride back, this is a guy who has worn a skid lid since ive known him. we went back on highway 17, the 3 bikes behind me, didnt see the traffic slowing (Im guessing here), I hit my brakes lights a few times to warn anyone behind me, and looked in my rearview to make sure no one was on my ass, and one of them locked it up at maybe 60MPH, sideways, he slid into his cousin who was 2 up with his wife, they both got sideways, and the bikes and the riders all went tumbling and bounching repeaterly, George, the guy who bought the fullface just 15 minutes or so ago, went into the wall, his bike flipping and landing on the legs of jesse's wife. Phil wound up in the other lane, getting run over by a van, we didnt know this at first, that he was run over , I got to Jesse, and Jesse's wife first, pulled the bike off from her, she was in bad shape, out cold, and broken leg and arm, and blood everywhere, Jesse was not as injured, but only cared about his wife, I went to Phil, i couldnt understand why he looked so bad, he wasnt breathing, had severe head trama, and when I tried to turn his head to clear the blood form his airways, I realized how bad he was, i wanted to try CPR, and started too, but it felt like he was all busted up in his chest, I made the decision that I might do more harm than good, I didnt know if I would actually push a rib thru his heart or something, I cant begin to explain how helpless and powerless I felt, Im not sure anything I could of tried or done would of mattered, Im still really mind screwing myself for what I didnt do, or couldnt do. He died before the paramedics arrived, which was very fast, they pulled up opposite side of the freeway. The tried to revive him, but no use. They concentrated on jesse's wife, Pennelipy, forgive my poor spelling. She was in surgery as of a little while ago, she is expected to be OK, but that is the first prognosis. Everyone went to the hospital except for myself and another friend, we stayed with Phil, took care of speaking to the coroner and we left when they finnially took him. I had to stay, I hope I am not ever left alone on the road like that, i would want a friend to stay, he was my brother. I didnt want him to be alone, when none of his family couldnt be there, not like this. Its still not sinking in seeing him under a yellow plastic tarp, I mean, for gods sake!! is that the best they can do for you?, Plastic??, Watching people go by and stare for like 2 hours after hes dead, and saying things, chitty things cause they had to wait to get to where they were they were going?, I hope none of you ever have to experience this, I hope i never do again, Phil just had a kid 11 months ago, I feel so bad for his family, I cant imagine my wife getting a call that I was just killed like this, and what they would have to go thru. I really needed to get this out. This is one the worst f*ckin days and yet, I was luckiy I didnt also get taken out, man, Im sorry that this is the first post that Ive made since leaving a long time ago, I miss you guys, I still read the forum all the time. please dont wear skid lids. Georges brand new fullface, is toast, but his face and head are intact, he's in the hospital, but alive. Also, prayers please for Jesses wife, Phil, and Phils wife, baby, and family. Phils and jesse's uncle Frank (or Jeses's brother?) again, forgive me if My facts arent exactly accurate, died along with his wife on last years Sturgious run, Phil was wearing his Uncle that died helmut that and it was not DOT approved. Thanks for letting me vent here, Its 2 am, and I needed to talk to someone about it. take care bro's
Donations can be made to:
'Felipe Loza Memorial Fund'
15867 Corte Mariana
San Lorenzo, Ca. 94580
Or a direct deposit can be made at any B of A branch under the memorial fund name
Thank you.
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Topic: Friend dies on Santa Cruz run, 3 injured. (Read 12865 times)