LANCASTER – A 51-year-old woman riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle was killed Saturday when the vehicle crashed on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, authorities said.
The incident happened around 12:12 p.m. on the northbound lanes of the 14 Freeway, north of Avenue J, according to a California Highway Patrol report.
Tony L. Tapparo, 60, of La Habra, was driving a 2007 Yamaha in the No. 2 lane at approximately 70 miles per hour when he noticed that the rear end of his bike “felt funny,” according to the CHP report.
Tapparo slowed to about 50 miles per hour, and then the motorcycle fishtailed, swerved toward the east shoulder and crashed onto its left side within the east shoulder, the CHP report states.
Tapparo and his wife, 51-year-old Julie, were thrown from the motorcycle onto the east shoulder.
Julie L. Tapparo suffered major head trauma and died from her injuries. Tony Tapparo sustained broken ribs and abrasions to his left arm.
Both Tapparos were wearing DOT approved helmets, the CHP report states.
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brigette says
We will miss her! My family has gone to pepper shaker for over 20 years. She was always so smiley and happy to see us. the last time we spoke she said she was getting ready to go on a ride. I didnt know that she had passed when I went to thethe ppshkr last week. :( Please know that she, her family and friends will be in my prayers and thoughts. She was a wonderful lady, full of love and grace. We will be thinking of you tomorrow Julie when we sit in our booth. Generations miss you, Brigette, Kaylie, Ally and Jenine
Jo says
We would like to thank all those who have been shown us support in ways of words, prayers, cards, and thoughts. Tony is healing of the physical wounds, his heart will take a lot longer. There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t miss her smile and thoughtfulness. She was a good a person. Life won’t be the same without her, but our lives will be better because she was apart of it. May we all hold on to the good memories and show kindness to others as Julie would have done. Thank you again for all the support…..Jo, Bill, Kimberly, Sharon, June and especially Tony
carrol &Bob Hawley says
Our beautiful Julie’s smile and sweet face and charming personality
lite up the Pepper Shaker Restaurant like a welcoming flood light.She adored
and respected her boss Peter.Dearest Julies eyes filled with tears when I
told her “I have a fatal disease”,She had no idea she would leave before me!We just never know when our time is going come.I wanted to draw her a picture of her beloved horse before I passed ,to remember me by ,and I did!!!
Tony I know your Julie is right there with you every morning ,sharing a cup of coffee and smiling into your eyes with love.She isn’t gone ,she just visits us in a different ,but special way.wait for me Julie I will be there soon.Love Carrol &Bob to!!!!
Tracey & Family says
We received this news over the weekend after visiting the Pepper Shaker, I cannot express how much my family and I will miss Julie. We used to visit her often at her work and she always made us laugh. She was so quick and witty with her jokes. She was an amazing, sweet & genuine person. Our hearts are deeply saddened by this news & tragedy.
Julie will truly be missed by all. We all Love & Miss you Julie. We have a wonderful Angel looking after all of us.
Jimmy, Heidi, Parker and Caden says
This is the saddest news. We just found out today about Julie. Our hearts and prayers go out to her husband, family, and friends. We have known Julie for over 12 years from the Pepper Shaker..her and my son Parker would always goof around, act silly at the restaurant, she was like family to us. We always loved seeing her smiling face and loved her sweet personality. Our hearts are so sad. She will be truly missed by so many. We love you Julie <3
Sharleen & Bob says
What an absolute shock to find out about Julie at the Pepper Shaker almost two weeks after the accident. We were one of her customers for over 15 years and enjoyed her amazing smile and wonderful aura as much as the great service. Bob is a huge jokester and she was quick enough to give it back as good as he gave. Our hearts are broken – one of those things that will be hard to get over. RIP dear girl – we will always remember you. We don’t know her husband but God Bless You Tony in the coming days and months.
Before I sign off, shame on everybody who chose this time to make her death a platform for the pros and cons of motorcycle riding. Choose a better time to make this cause an issue.
Carol says
The night before our Julie went home, she was speaking of the excitement of the trip and looking forward to spending time with her beloved husband. She said how blessed she was to have him and loved him so so dearly. Such a loving heart and soul. My thoughts are only of her, Tony her beloved and the family that will have memories to cherish. All the patrons in the Pepper Shaker patrons that she cared for like brothers and sisters. Ohh our sweet jewel is safe and at peace. Open wounds with sandpaper going on in life like comments that don’t deserve acknowledgment. I pray for all that were touched by her valued heart. Thank you for all the laughs and loving husbands like Tony and my husband. Live like its your last breath and love without fear. Many kisses to all in the family Love to her sister-in-law and niece who will carry on.
Rose, Tony, Emily and Gina says
We are still in shock that an angel is no longer on this earth. You will be missed, but you must be needed in heaven. Your sweet smile will always be remembered. Tony, our hearts are with you.
Michelle says
Julie was my favorite waitress where she worked. She sometimes talked about the trips she and her husband would take, usually each on their own motorcycle. She was a very nice person and always had a smile. She could make you laugh when you were feeling down. She was a real sweetheart and will be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences go out to her husband and rest of her family, and her restaurant family as well. May you rest in peace Julie. I miss you a lot already.
KatyK says
Shame on you XBiker! This is not the place.
For the record, Tony was a responsible rider. This was an accident, through no fault of his own. Tony would never have taken out a bike that he thought there was something wrong with.- Let alone with someone else riding with him.- I did not know his wife, but I knew Tony. I pray for his heart to heal.
Sylvia says
To all who stopped and tried to help,thank you! She was a VERY kind, loving and responsible person. Words cannot express how much we miss her and what she meant to us….. We are still in shock.
dave pierce says
Iwould like to tell all of you to go to hell julie was my sister her life was more important then riding issues
Jo says
Rip Julie….we love you….love you tony, your a great brother, uncle….we know you loved Jules a lot.
X-Biker says
Motorcyclist Fatalities Increase
Motorcycles are the most dangerous type of motor vehicle to drive. These vehicles are involved in fatal crashes at a rate of 35.0 per 100 million miles of travel, compared with a rate of 1.7 per 100 million miles of travel for passenger cars.
Motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2006, per vehicle mile traveled, and 8 times more likely to be injured.
Although motorcycles account for only 2% of vehicles on the road, they make up more than 10% of all crashes.
Motorcycles accounted for nearly 3% of all registered motor vehicles and 0.4% of vehicle miles traveled in 2006.
Motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled in 10 years to 4,810 in 2006. Helmets saved the lives of 1,658 motorcyclists in 2006—and could have saved an additional 752 lives if all riders had worn helmets compliant with federal safety standards.
Some 104,000 motorcycles were involved in crashes in 2006, including property damage-only crashes.
Approximately 80% of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20% of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle.
In 2006, 37% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 23% for passenger car drivers, 19% for light-truck drivers, and 8% for large-truck drivers.
http://trafficsafety.org/safety/sharing/motorcycle/motor-facts/motor-injuries-fatalities
Ride On!
Holly Gratner says
I was so sad to hear this news. Julie was a large part of my younger years. Our family loved her very much. Praying for her husband.
Chris Burton says
Terrible thing to happen. All you folks who stopped and did whatever you could are saints…
Harry Lockart says
My friend and i stopped at the accident ,he is a EMT . WE could see she was not breathing and no hart beat , my friend started CPR but she was gone already . i prayed over her as my friend told me what to do to try to safe her life . we could not . my prayers go out to her Husband and the Family . that was a hard day to deal with i still see her face ,i am sorry he /we could not save her .
jani says
thank you so much for trying to save her life. it is a great lose to her family, i did not know the husband, i knew Julie, and her best friend Paula, they have 2 horses at our stables, she loved them very much, she was always smiling, and never said a mean thing about anyone. Her and Paula were like glue, Paula also is having a very hard time.Everyone at the stables is so very sad. God bless you Julie, and God bless your family.. you will be missed, Jani
Racer1600 says
I was there for the accident, I noticed them down on the shoulder before any responders arrived. I had my entire EMT bag with me because I was heading to the race track, I ran back to the accident and initiated CPR and inserted an airway adjunct and continued CPR for about 5 min until responders arrived. God speed to her and prayers for her husband, I couldn’t imagine being in their shoes.
jani says
thank you so much for trying to save our horse friends life, must also be so hard for you to have seen something like this, it is hard for us that she is gone. Jani
Clydesdale says
I feel so bad for this dude. How do you cope losing your love to what sounds to me like a flat rear tire? A mechanical failure no matter what it was. How does that marathon of emotions ever end? I just did 750 miles with my love this weekend on the back of our Harley. To survive & arrive home to this kind of news is a reality check……again. Man, I feel you, Brother…
X-Biker says
Great time to reassess how much riding means vs. ones loved ones. Consider before that next ride, or your loved ones next ride the tragedy of a life this man must now endure, through no fault of his own. Wow! Our own death never matters but how can we be so selfish to those that mean the most to us. All of this is worth the cheap thrill of a bike ride?
RIP JLT
Sjgranai says
That has to be THE worst comment I have EVER read. It is NOT a matter of being “selfish”. It is a love of a ‘sport’ to some, a ‘hobby’ to others and to a few … a lifestyle.
Because YOU decided it was not worth it to YOU… do NOT judge the choice of others. They were not children. They were riding and having a great time. We know the risks when we get on our bikes.
I am that girl on a sportbike with ponytails on my helmet. Hard to miss me..lol. If the day comes and I don’t make it, know that ever minute I had on two wheels made it all worth it. I am a mother of four grown children and soon to be a grandmother.
I have taught MY children to follow their dreams and do what THEY love.
Any time a person asks me about riding and expresses interest in it I ask only one main question…”Do you think it riding a motorcycle is worth dying over?” and if they say “No”… I tell them not to do it then. Our risk of dying on two wheels is there… it better be worth it for the person on the front OR the back.
RIP to the wife… and to the husband, my heart is with you man. Do NOT listen to that idiot. Sounds like you did everything you could to keep the shiny side up.
X-Biker says
The truth hurts doesn’t it selfish? To bikers the cheap thrill of a ride means more then ones life. You stated so above and with children if that is not selfish I don’t know what is. Explain it to them not me. Enjoy your next thrill ride, or maybe your kids.
Mark says
@X-biker, dont know why your so anti-motorcycle. maybe some kind of guilt trip on your part. But loved ones are killed everyday in auto wrecks and such. so why would you think it is selfish to ride with your spouse or girlfriend on a bike. I have logged thousands of miles 2-up and besides a couple of morons in cages its been a very fun time.
We both know the risk but feel its what we enjoy so live life it has an experation.
Jt says
Xrider you are off point, It is not about being selfish! Accidents happen! all though the other may not of stated it clearly, I commend them for teaching their kids about the values of life and to never take each day for granted. Everyone takes risk every single day, just because they chose to ride a bike makes them no less a responsible person! It sounds like they had the proper safety gear etc. and it was just a fluke accident, using your analogy no one should go anywhere due to something happening. You can not blame it on how they chose to travel, as it could’ve easily been in a car! A police officer for more than 20 years I have seen my share of accidents just like this but in automobiles as well, where a 25 MPH crash causes one to lose his/her life, where they selfish as well cause they went for a Sunday drive? Could they have predicted a family member from drowning while spending a day at the lake? Could they have predicted the piece of metal they ran over that caused the vehicle to lose control and flip ove? I am sure if there was any way to avoid his malfunction do you not think for a split second he would take it all back and avoid it or check the bike for any defects prior to them departing? I am sure he will be thanking about this for the rest of his life, “If only I saw that, or maybe I should of checked this the list goes on and on with the should of could of.
To bash these 2 shows moral lack of character just because you do not believe in Bikes. Anything you do in life involves risk, no one can say that one is riskier than others because one does not know what one will encounter on a daily basis! Do you think the runners in Boston felt any risk other than maybe death by heart attack or dehydration? and look what happened! The truth is never easy to swallow no matter what it is when confronted with it! Remember life is always a gamble/risk it’s how you choose to deal with it and the ability to accept what comes with it. For you it appears you live in a plastic bubble where you feel safe from the effects of life and if that makes you happy that is great! R.I.P. to the loss of life!
Danny says
X-Biker is a phony and was never a rider
Jan Chapin says
I moved to Texas and received the horrible news of Julie’s death via a phone call from California. I officiated their marriage and ate at the restaurante where I met her in 2006. My heart is so broken and I pray a speedy recover for Tony. She was doing what she dearly loved with her husband guiding the way. I love ya Julie.
dinkywolf says
So sad seen the aftermath of this.accident seen the bike and knew something bad had happened praying for this family
J. Gomez says
I actually saw the accident happen and called the police. It happened just like he said, the bike started fishtailing and they both took a nasty tumble. She remained still while he, in shock, stumbled about trying to make sense of it all. Very tragic, my condolescence to the family, so tragic.
GREG says
X BIKER MEANS YOUR WIFE TOOK YOUR BIKE AND [removed] AWAY.I know for a fact she rode horses as well, could have easily fallen off a horse. Do we quit living to please everyone else. you stay home and safe.
X-Biker says
Greg sorry you missed the thread and likely the point but no, my wife has never taken anything from me. After you have kids, your kids have kids, you loose loved ones, only then can you fully value your life. Like I said above our own death maters little but the ones we leave behind pay for our foolishness in horrible grief and despair. Ride On! ;)
Mark says
i have both children and grandchildren. your point holds no water. people will be killed as long as there are auto’s and motorcycles. you may wish to lead your life wrapped in bubble wrap, I prefer to do what i enjoy, and if i dont come home one day, well i was having a good time when my number was called.
Yo Mama says
Pussy…