Rancho Dominguez Big Rig Accident Kills Bicyclist
Jakob Scott Weathermon, 20, of Lakewood, was killed in a bicycle versus big rig accident on Sept. 30 after the tractor-trailer struck him at a Rancho Dominguez intersection near Carson, the Daily Breeze reports. Weathermon, who worked in Huntington Beach, was riding a bicycle with a 17-year-old unidentified girl when they were hit by the truck at the intersection of Del Amo Boulevard and Susana Road.
Weathermon and the girl were heading east on the sidewalk and entered the intersection to cross Susana when the tractor trailer, going south, made a right turn, California Highway Patrol officials said. The truck hit the girl first; who got thrown out of the way and then struck Weathermon, running him over. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
My sincere condolences to the family of Jakob Scott Weathermon for their tragic loss.
The press reports do not provide enough detailed information for me to form an opinion as to who is at fault here. CHP officials say it is unclear to them as to who had the right of way. They say the big rig driver’s light was red and it appears that he stopped before making that right turn. I trust the CHP investigation will soon provide us with the details and the exact cause of this bicycle accident.
If the big rig had indeed stopped before turning, then it should have made the right turn at a safe and normal speed. However, the fact that it hit both the bicyclists could mean the driver was possibly distracted and did not see them. If the big rig driver is determined to be at fault in this accident, then both he and his employer could be held liable for the accident, injuries and fatality.
The family of Jacob Scott Weathermon would be well advised to retain the services of a reputed Southern California bicycle accident attorney to protect their legal rights and, should they decide, to pursue a case against the employer of the truck driver.
Comments
Thank you for your observations, we are also anxious to see what the investigation reveals because the family is mostly in the dark at this time. We have retained counsel and investigators to look at these things. I have to stop responding to articles and making statements that sound like I'm blaming CHP (I don't want to stop the truth from coming as quickly as it can by damaging relationships with authorities.) My nephew's memorial site is http://wheredidjakobgo.com if you want to learn about what kind of kid he was, and who loved him.
Posted by: Jakobs Uncle | October 6, 2008 11:15 AM
We are almost two years from the date of the accident, and still do not know what actually caused this. The girl he was with and Jakob's estranged father have gotten lawyers to cash in on any settlement that may come from Target.
The greatest loss is to his mother, brother and cousins he was close to. Time has NOT healed yet..only deadened the pain.
Posted by: Jakobs Uncle | June 19, 2010 9:19 AM
rest in peace Jakob. u were a real person, a hero. i @#$%^n love you man. life will never be as good now that your gone.
Posted by: abealexander | June 23, 2010 10:21 AM