Bus Driver Charged in Death of Motorcyclist

An Oakland man has been charged with murder following a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred on October 22nd.

According to the California Highway Patrol, 51-year-old Stockton resident George Lopez, Jr. was riding his motorcycle along Interstate 580 near San Leandro when he was struck by a paratransit bus driven by Eddie Hall, 31.

Upon impact, Mr. Lopez was thrown from his bike and into the path of the van. His motorcycle became wedged in the van's undercarriage and was dragged for over a mile before bursting into flames. The driver, Mr. Hall, eventually pulled the bus over to the shoulder near the 150th Avenue off-ramp and fled the scene. He was apprehended by police minutes later at the intersection of Tanager Avenue and Liberty Street.

The victim, who was a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club, was airlifted to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley where he was pronounced dead.

According to police reports, Mr. Lopez's death was the result of an intentional act on the part of the driver. Eyewitnesses at the scene reported seeing the van swerve aggressively into the lane where Mr. Lopez and several other individuals were riding. Mr. Hall later stated to police that he swerved into the motorcyclists' lane with the knowledge that a collision was likely to occur.

The driver has since been charged with felony hit-and-run in the death of Mr. Lopez along with a second count of attempted murder for allegedly trying to harm a second biker traveling with the group. Prior to the accident, Mr. Hall had a clean driving record and no criminal history. He is being held without bail in the Santa Rita jail in Dublin.

The death of George Lopez, Jr. is a chilling reminder that motorcyclists must use extra caution when traveling the highways. The driver's actions in causing the fatal motorcycle accident are just one example of how negligence can result in serious injury or even death for motorcyclists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 90,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2009 and another 4,462 were killed. The NHTSA also estimates that motorcyclists are 39 times more likely to die in a crash and 8 times more likely to be injured compared to individuals involved in car accidents.

If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed as a result of a motorcycle accident, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the negligent driver. In order to prove your case and win your claim, you'll need the help of a qualified California motorcycle accident attorney.

At the firm of Nadrich and Cohen, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of motorcycle accident victims and their families and helping them get the compensation they're entitled to. If you or a family member has sustained the emotional, physical and financial devastation of a motorcycle accident, don't hesitate to contact us today at 1-800-722-0765 to get the help you need. Our initial consultation is free and we charge no fee unless we're successful in winning a money judgment for you.

 

 

 

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