Two Riders Killed in Orland Motorcycle Accident

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Two Riders Killed in Orland Motorcycle Accident

I’m Ed Smith, an Orland motorcycle accident attorney. Two riders lost their lives on Sunday night when they were ejected from their motorcycle just north of Orland.

Details of the Accident

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued a press release on Monday with details of the accident. It was reported by the CHP that two riders on a 1999 Harley Davidson were thrown from the Harley when it was hit by a 1988 Toyota pickup truck. The motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Watkins Road and Malton Switch Road just north of Orland.

What Happened?

The report from the CHP said that the 1988 Toyota pickup truck arrived at the intersection at a speed of 50 MPH and did not apply the brakes for the stop sign in enough time. When in the intersection, the truck collided with the motorcycle, which was headed westbound. The truck was driven by 20-year-old Kalen Souza. Souza hails from Willows. The pickup truck flipped onto its roof after hitting the motorcycle. Souza extricated himself from the vehicle and suffered minor injuries.

The Investigation

Officers from the CHP led the investigation into the accident. The officers said that there was no involvement of alcohol or drugs in the crash. The two motorcycle riders have been identified as 43-year-old William Watson and 59-year-old Toni Watson. Both riders lived in Orland.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and family of the Watsons during this difficult time.

Orland Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycle accidents in Orland have been few and far between over the last five years dating back to 2012. During that five-year span, there has been a total of just seven motorcycle accidents. None of them resulted in fatalities and none involved alcohol. This accident is the first fatal accident in Orland since at least prior to 2006. From 2006-2016 there have been a total of 14 motorcycle accidents in Orland and none of them involved alcohol.

Motorcycle Intersection Safety Tips

It is incredibly dangerous to ride a motorcycle. It can become even more dangerous when doing so in an intersection due to the volume of vehicles and speed of travel. Below are some important motorcycle intersection safety tips for all riders to follow:

  • Try to let passenger cars and trucks approach the intersection ahead of you as a buffer
  • Control your speed entering and exiting an intersection
  • Anticipate that other vehicles will not stop for a red light or stop sign
  • Be the best defensive driver possible in an intersection
  • Assume that other motorists will not see you at the intersection
  • Make eye contact with any approaching drivers before making a turn
  • Always use a turn signal when making a turn at an intersection
  • Know of intersection dangers ahead of time

Related Articles by Orland Motorcycle Accident Attorney, Ed Smith:

Orland Motorcycle Accident Attorney

I’m Ed Smith, an Orland motorcycle accident attorney. If you or someone close to you has been hurt or even killed in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another person, please call me at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly, and compassionate advice. I am also available online at AutoAccident.com.

I have been serving Orland and the Greater California community in cases involving personal injury and wrongful death for more than 35 years. You can read reviews written by former and current clients about my work as an injury lawyer on sites like Yelp, Google, and Avvo.

Looking for more information about my cases? Check the verdicts and settlements page found on my website, AutoAccident.com.

There is a national organization called the Million Dollar Advocates Forum that recognizes trial lawyers who have won $1 million or more for their clients. I am proud to have had my work recognized by this group.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Harley Davidson Duo-Glide by ChiemseeMan. Public Domain.
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