MOTORCYCLIST KILLED BY TRUCK DRIVER RUNNING LIGHT IN EL CAJON

July 2019 Articles

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2019 (El Cajon) – A motorcycle rider was struck and killed by pickup truck today in El Cajon.

According to Lieutenant Jason Taub, the motorcyclist was traveling westbound on Greenfield Drive when a full-size pickup truck turned left onto eastbound I-8 against a red turn arrow and struck the motorcyclist broadside around 11:55 a.m.

El Cajon Police officers and paramedics responded and attempted life-saving measures, but the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision,” said Lt. Taub. The El Cajon Police Dept. reminds drivers to share the road.

ECM asked El Cajon City Manager Graham Mitchell if fatalities from motorists running red lights have increased since red light cameras were removed in February 2013.

He replied, “Also, based on some conversations I have had with staff, anecdotally we have not seen a noticeable increase in red light related fatal crashes since the deactivation of the cameras. However, we would have to look at the data to definitively say one way or the other. I do know that most of the recent fatalities have involved pedestrians outside of a crosswalk.”

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Comments

Running red lights

All that is needed is one motorcycle officer to patrol Main Street between Magnolia and 2nd.....my wife and I have witnessed numerous cars running red lights.as we drive thru El Cajon three times a week.

Scary drivers :-()

I witness vehicles running red lights in El Cajon frequently, sometimes up to four in a row. Where the heck are the police? During rush hours at key intersections there is rarely any police presence. How many officers are employed by ECPD, and how many are on duty during any given shift? (I've been given various answers) Not enough in my opinion. Why can't there be more on patrol? Cities need a proactive police force, not just a reactive one.

Grouchy Grandpa

You seem to have hell bent opinions smacking of critical as in this case the El Cajon Police. The answer is officers ratio to who they serve and money available to sustain them. Suggestion, waltz in their offices and ask. First hand information is the best.