Woman Kills Motorcyclist Chad DeLorm in Costa Mesa

Friends and family gathered at the Costa Mesa crash site to remember and honor Chad.

 Chad deLorm, 40, was killed in a Costa Mesa motorcycle crash after a woman turned left in front of him and struck his motorcycle, The Daily Pilot reports. Officials say the incident occurred the afternoon of August 4, 2013.

DeLorm was traveling east on Adams Avenue just past Royal Palm Drive when a woman driving a 2005 Honda Civic turned left in front of him. The motorcycle hit the passenger side of the Honda. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 62-year-old woman, was questioned and released.

Family and friends gathered near the crash area to celebrate Chad.  A candlelight vigil event was posted on Facebook to let friends and family have a place to share pictures from the vigil and honor the man they all knew and loved.

Chad’s Facebook has been flooded with memory posts and goodbyes. My thoughts and prayers are with the family members and friends of Chad deLorm, who has been described as a loving friend, son, father, and grandson who never missed a Mother’s Day. DeLorm was a father to a 19 year old girl.

Fellow riders described deLorm as a “conservative biker who sometimes taught motorcycling safety courses.” I offer my deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Chad deLorm.

 Motorcycle Crash Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2010 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 43 injuries as a result of Costa Mesa motorcycle accidents. In Orange County as a whole, 19 people died and 750 were injured as a result of motorcycle crashes. This is the second fatal motorcycle crash in Costa Mesa in two weeks.

 Unsafe Left Turns

Based on this news report, it appears that the female driver of the Honda Civic made an unsafe, sudden left turn in front of the motorcyclist. California Vehicle Code Section 21801 (a) states: “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.”

 Fault and Liability

In this particular case, if the driver is determined to have been at fault, she can be held liable for the victim’s wrongful death. Such claims seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income and loss of love and companionship. Victims and their families in such cases would be well advised to contact a Costa Mesa personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.

(image via Facebook)