ANTELOPE VALLEY – A 35-year-old woman was killed Sunday afternoon after her motorcycle was rear ended by another motorcycle when she slowed to make a U-turn, authorities said.
The fatal collision happened around 12:47 p.m. Sunday (July 21) on Angeles Forest Highway, just south of Mount Emma Road, according to a California Highway Patrol report.
Santa Maria resident Dawn Marie Downey was following her husband, Thomas Downey, and both were on separate motorcycles traveling southbound on Angeles Forest, when Thomas Downey slowed, made a U-turn onto the northbound shoulder and stopped, according to the CHP report.
As Dawn Downey slowed her 2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 to make the same U-turn, another motorcycle traveling “at a high rate of speed” slammed into the back of Dawn Downey’s motorcycle, the CHP report states.
Dawn Downey was thrown from her bike and suffered fatal injuries.
The second motorcycle was a 2004 Suzuki GSXR 1000 driven by 27-year-old Jorge Garcia of Long Beach, the CHP report states. Garcia was transported by ambulance to Antelope Valley Hospital with major injuries.
It was unclear from the CHP report whether the Downeys and Garcia were part of a larger group of riders. Photos from the collision scene show several motorcycles at the scene.
The Antelope Valley Area CHP is currently investigating the fatal collision.
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Rebecca says
I just found out yesterday about the death of Dawn. She was a wonderful lady. I go to the chiropractor where she worked and she was so polite, always cheerful and helpful. I will miss her smiling face each time I go there. My prayers go out to her family.
jakethasnake says
rode street bikes, chops, dirt bikes all my life and had some death defying close calls but there are unofficial rules of the road like DONT pass the person in front of you unless waved…common sense aint so common
melissa jenkins says
Its unfortunate the risk bikers have to take, I’ve been through this road several times and been tempted to make a u-turn too but its an illegal u-turn zone so I think about it twice and don’t do it! There should be more stop or signal light in this area. Please riders don’t make illegal u-turns in areas where there’s constant traffic flow, the consequenses can be life changing.
Cory Moore says
Dawn was a great woman with a passion for her family, friends, work and of course motorcycles. I’m so sad to hear of her passing. I will be in prayer for her family.
Kelly says
Dawn was an exceptional person, may she always be remembered through the lives she has touched. Love you Dawn! Always in my thoughts…
Tom says
It was horrible I was there. What the article doesn’t say is that it is a long strait 4 lane wide road with little to no traffic with plenty of room to go around. An unbelievable horrible tragedy and huge loss 4 so many who loved her including the children, husband, and parents that will not have her in there life again.
Judy Hutchings says
Dear sweet Tommy, I am so very sorry for your loss. Dawn was lovely, so vivacious and you were both so in love. I know you will get through this with the help of those of who love you. Please know I am thinking about you and wish I could comfort you.
Love, Aunt Judy
Frank Rizzo says
For real! Slow Down ! Just because it can go 150 doesn’t mean you have to!
sammy p says
Wow that sucks. I think that every person who rides a motorcycle understands the risk they are taking. A person on a bike is so unprotected even with a helmet on, but I think they love riding so much that they are willing to take the risk.
I feel so sorry for the husband.. having to watch it all happen… remember folks, life is precious.. it can all end in a heartbeat.
Live life like every day could be your last.
justsaying says
I agree with you Sammy p. what a very sad thing to happen. Poor husband will have that image in his mind the rest of his life. I feel sorry for all involved.
Brooke says
She was my aunt I love her very much and when my mom told me I just couldn’t process it like she is way to young to die she isn’t really dead
Sophie says
I am verry sorry for the loss of your aunt. She was a neighbor of mine. Always waved hello when she drove by. Her little girl and her husband are really gonna miss her.
Greg says
More like this is what happens when a person much like yourself breaks the law in unsafe ways, and ends up harming someone else.