VICTIMS IDENTIFIED IN OCOTILLO MOTORCYCLE CRASH

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Driver of car that hit motorcycles may face charges; 2nd driver in gold Honda Civic still sought

November 15, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Four members of the Lakeside Saddle Tramps motorcycle club who were killed Saturday afternoon near Ocotillo have been identified by the club president, Carl Smith. Lance Heath, 43, and his wife, Amy, 36, of Alpine, died, as well as Bill Miller, 57, or Ramona and Tonya Trayer, 37, or Lakeside. Smith told the Union-Tribune that he tried to resuscitate Trayer for several minutes, but “there was nothing we could do.”

 

Trayer’s husband, Wilson, remains in the hospital with numerous broken bones in his jaw, hip, pelvis, leg, feet, and wrists as well as internal bleeding. The Trayers have three children and Tonya Trayer also served as a surrogate mother of two children for a family friend.
 

The Heaths leave behind two teenage boys; Miller is survived by a wife, daughter and grandchildren.
 

Other club members suffered injuries. John Lombardo was treated for a leg injury. William Barnes had a punctured lung and broken bones; his wife had a broken pelvis , brain hemorrhaging and internal bleeding. Kelly Halley of Santee had her spleen removed, the Union-Tribune reported.
 

The tragedy occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday on Highway 98, in the desert several miles east of Ocotillo. According to the Highway Patrol and numerous witnesses, a gold Honda Civic crossed the center line to pass a group of motorcyclists, causing the driver of a Dodge Avenger to lose control trying to avoid a head-on collision. The Avenger swerved onto the shoulder, then back onto the roadway and struck the motorcyclists.

 

"I was the first person on scene that had a uniform on," CHP officer Deann Goudie said Sunday, 10 News reported. "I was being dragged in every direction by frantic people saying, 'Help this person, help that person."'

 

Goudie said investigators on Monday would check surveillance video at a nearby border crossing to see if the driver went to Mexico.
 

Yesterday authorities in Imperial County detained the Avenger driver after detecting alcohol on breath, but he has since been released. A blood test, which will take about a week for results, could lead to the driver facing charges of driving under the influence. The driver of the Avenger, Carlos Ramirez Bobadilla, 36, of Mexicali suffered injuries to his hands. A woman passenger in his vehicle also died, the Imperial Valley Press reported.
 

However the accident is listed as a hit and run; authorities are seeking the gold Honda Accord which witnesses indicated appeared responsible for causing the horrific crash.
 

The Saddle Tramps are known for doing good works for the community, such as helping collect toys for needy children during the holidays. Now, however, the group must focus on healing and helping its own members. “We were all one big family,” Smith said. “We take care of our own. We will continue to do that.”
 


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