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UPDATED: Biker killed in Angeles Forest Highway crash

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The crash happened just south of Mt. Emma Road. (Photo by JOHN MEZA)
The crash happened on Angeles Forest Highway just south of Mt. Emma Road. (Photo by JOHN MEZA)

PALMDALE – A 47-year-old motorcyclist was killed Tuesday after he passed a vehicle using the dirt shoulder and then went over the side of Angeles Forest Highway, authorities said.

The fatal crash happened around 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, on Angeles Forest Highway, just south of Mt. Emma Road, according to a California Highway Patrol report.

Emergency responders work to get the body from the bottom of the ravine. (JOHN MEZA)
Emergency responders work to get the body from the bottom of the ravine. (JOHN MEZA)

The motorcyclist, whose name has not yet been released, was speeding northbound on a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja along with two other motorcycle riders, the CHP report states.

The two other motorcycle riders passed a motorist on the left “at a very high rate of speed,” while the 47-year-old motorcyclist passed the motorist on the right and on the dirt shoulder, the CHP report states.

The motorcyclist went up and over a dirt berm and then tumbled down a hillside and struck the bottom of a ravine, the CHP report states.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

UPDATED 1/2/14: The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Kirk Lane of Palmdale, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

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Filed Under: Palmdale

73 comments for "UPDATED: Biker killed in Angeles Forest Highway crash"

  1. Rest in Peace brother Kirk. Blessings of healing for his family and friends. Sad news but then again, he’s free. One love brother Kirk! You mattered. You still matter. :)

  2. The morning and evening hours are a mad dash raceway through this canyon. We are not talking Porsches or Ferraris here, nope, minivans and SUVs going 90, tiny little cars like Escorts and Cobalts, etc. Then of course you have the two wheeled rice riders, many are good, a few are down right playing roulette with their lives and the lives of others.

    As I drive a large dually and am not going to jeopardize my life by making an evasive maneuver, if you cross the line in your bike or car, your hitting my 200lb bumper and the 8k of truck behind it.

    Traffic fines should be tripled through this canyon.

  3. This particular stretch of road can be deceiving. The right lane disappears quickly and next thing you know you’re on the dirt. you’re also going downhill and straight so the temptation to go WFO is there. Someone who is 47 yrs old really should know better. I wonder what the Tox report will find.

  4. kirk was a great guy, all he wanted to be was happy just like you and me, everyone. past or present he is still no different then you or i. kirk was experienced, he knew what he was doing. reading all these comments so many people really do not know what they are talking about. especially bringing up his past, like they are perfect themselves. you people have zero mercy why would you even comment. kirk made a bad mistake, and i bet when he did he had a smile on his face thinking.. this will be fun. miss ya kirk.

  5. Bottom line here is, don’t ride like your invincible. I’ve ridden bikes for 20+ years and I’ve made my mistakes and thankfully lived through both of them. I still ride today, both Ducati crotch rocket and Harley Davidson cruiser. The fear of leaving my wife and daughter behind keeps me riding straight and sensibly. Please, all you riders out there, don’t do anything while riding your bike that puts your life in jeopardy. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Please ride safe.

    • Thank you for your post, well put together. Reminds me of the saying.

      “Don’t be a show-off. Never be too proud to turn back. There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots.” – E. Hamilton Lee

  6. I did not know Kirk and my condolences go out to his family. I am a regular driver on the angeles forest highway and I constantly see reckless drivers speeding through the curves as if they are in training for the grand prix or something. That includes passing cars on double lines around blind curves. What will they gain by endangering the lives of the drivers who are observing the rules of the road is beyond my comprehension. I just wish that law enforcement would spend more time on the road getting the reckless drivers off. I don’t think i have ever seen a state trooper anywhere especially during the busy times like the morning rush hour.

  8. What is the matter with all you cold, heartless people making negative remarks? Yes, it’s obvious he made an error in judgement but he lost his life, his family and friends have lost someone they loved. Please stop. There may come a time when you’re on the receiving end of the same pain. R.I.P. KIRK. My condolences to the family.

    • I guess you only read what you wanted to. I am a friend of Kirks and I was up there when his cross was put up. I have been on the receiving end with someone in my family under the same circumstances. As we grieved we also wanted to make many other aware of how stupid is to drive to fast and make unsafe lane changes while riding a crotch rocket. I have sent my condolences to Dorothy, Kirks mom. One day e to will understand. God speed to you and your words have been heard but so must mine.

    • I agree – we are ALL one bad day or one bad decision away from death and it could happen to any of us. Especially for bike riders. I rode a ninja once.. a friend let me try one – that lasted for all of 10 seconds and scared the heck out of me.. I couldn’t believe how fast it went from zero to ZOOM… you gotta be brave as heck to ride one of those every day… so R.I.P to this guy – I wish I had his courage.

  9. I have been following all of these messages here and on facebook for the past few days. I have known Kirk almost my whole life. It is no surprise that this is how he died. How is it when someone dies no body remembers any of the bad things they did to get to this point. He stole, lied, did drugs and stole from his own family. Many times his own mother helped cover it up. He would not take responsibility for his own actions. Including raising his first born. I think these comments are very important. I hope that those who read it will learn from it. I had a friend that when we were in High School was killed in that same canyon in her car from her own stupidity. She also tried passing a car on the right on the dirt and flipped her car. I feel for Kirks brothers and sisters. Well at least the ones that even liked him. Sorry for your loss Brooke, Joyce and Tracy also his son and daughter. I hope that his adopted father Phil kicks his butt when he gets there. But again I am not sure that is where he will end up. I am just so glad that NO ONE else was hurt or killed. That is one less thing that his family will have to live with. Sorry for those of you who are offended by this. Not one of you stopped to think. What if he had hurt or killed some else and that someone else was your child, parent, niece, nephew, cousin, aunt, uncle, grandparent or another friend, like the friend or family member that Kirk was to you. Now give that some thought. I have.

    • I believe Kirk would would request that u [removed] his dead [removed] so yup he will be missed by many

    • Are you perfect, no! Are any of us, no! You don’t need to talk [removed]! It doesn’t matter what his past was! I hope to meet you one day Mark and give you my grief! And I hope you are next, so Kirk could fist f*#£ ya!

    • Shame on you Mark for what you wrote here. True or not, it wasn’t your place to put this man’s business in a public forum. His family is already going through enough. You may have a right to your opinions, but you don’t have the right to make things harder on his family. Shame on you Mark.

  10. Right now this is not about Kirk obeying or disobeying traffic laws. It is about his mother, mourning the loss of her only child. It is about the son he raised, who is now a grown man himself, missing and hurting with the emptiness he feels without his father. And his baby girl. Now 12 yearold who i held all night while she screamed and cried with regret for not returnung a call and pleading to hear his voice once more. Keep your negative comments to yourself. No one cares about who was right or wrong in the situation at this point.

    • I wish people, especially those who have children, would drive carefully but sadly many do not.

      All these “negative comments” and such would not be here if people were not sick of bad drivers and the damage they cause.

    • Jill im very sorry about are loss, i really wish that i had the word that could make this easyer, but i don’t atthis time, but all i can say is hold that little girl and just tell her how much her daddy loved her and that is may be gone but he is still in her hart. and that he can come and look in on her when ever he wants too and she can talk to him when ever she want too. he may not be able to talk back but he is still hearing her. i hope these words help you a little bit. i will pary for you guys.

  11. Slow down, don’t pass outside of the passing zones, respect all traffic laws and be courteous to other motorists. Take racing to the track. Call the CHP office and request more traffic enforcement on Angeles Forest Highway. These incidents affect everyone involved including friends, familiy, neighbors, witnesses and bystanders. Tragic events like this can be prevented. If you know someone who carves the canyons without regard for traffic laws or common sense, remind them of the consequences their actions will have on their loved ones if the worst happens.

  12. Wow… I’m ashamed of some of these comments I have read here today. I didn’t know this guy but my heart goes out to his friends and family. These type of message boards seem to bring out the worst type of people, how you can talk your trash to the friends and family that just lost a loved one makes me sick, someday you will have to live life without hiding behind a keyboard, do the world a favor and turn off your computer

  14. Oh man I just heard this horrible news. I used to get high with Kirk all the time. What on earth will I do without him. RIP bro. You will be deeply missed.

  18. I knew Kirk through my son, who is 6 years younger than Kirk. I’ve known him to always be a kind and gentle person. Yes, he made a tragic mistake, but for those of you using this comment area to blast bikers and their speed, etc., don’t use Kirk as the scapegoat even though we all know that speeding is dangerous – this isn’t the place for it. A wonderful young man’s life was lost. This could have been your son, brother or father and reading your comments makes the pain even more excruciating. Shame on you.

    • Had this incident (not accident) taken the life of an innocent victim than yes this would be tragic. However this incident took the life of someone behaving with complete disregard for human life, his or the drivers around him, who reportedly had no respect for authority, rules or laws. Those of us who drive this road regularly commuting to work see jerks like this bozo just about every day. Not always on bikes as there are plenty of cars up there that drive with the same reckless disregard. The guy who is just trying to go to work and comes around a corner to find a MC or car coming at him in his lane at a closing speed of 130MPH or greater and ends up dead. Well that would be a tragedy. When it is the guy making the stupid move, thinking he owns the road who ends up as a smudge on the road, that is karma.

      • Yes, he did make a mistake and a judgement an error. However, every life is precious, and everyone has family. If you feel this area needs to be better monitored by law enforcement because of unsafe driving, then take a stand. However, coming on here, and saying the guy deserved to die is just uncalled for.

    • Scapegoat. You seem like a very happy person. Glad all is well in your life now and in the future. MM<)

    • That is right. Thank you, Kirk Lane was a very caring and loving person. It is sad for these people that did not know one thing about him or what really happen to start leaving comments. If you do not have something nice to say please keep to yourself. He has Family and friends out here that love him and miss him and do not need to here you.

  19. From reading the comments above all I can say is this sounds like a waste of a perfectly good motorcycle. Rest easy Kirk my thoughts and prayers to your family in dealing with your poor decision. Let us hope your fellow riders will learn from your lack of judgment but again from the comments above it sounds like they wont, ie (F the authorities) (Do what your told kind of guy) And by the way who were the first ones called when this happened? Oh it was probably the authorities so when your fellow riders follow follow in your tracks, which some surly will, lets hope they are kind like yourself and not hurt or take anyone with them

    • Jake.. Your comment was somewhat kind, lol.. Yes, F the authorities was an inside joke with all his family and friends… He was a professional rider, but made a mistake, a mistake that cost him his life, and has clearly devastated us all, including his kids, family, and friends.. If you ever had the chance to meet him, you would have known what an awesome down to earth guy he truly was…
      Ride Safe
      R.I.P Kirk…. Godspeed
      Gone but never forgotten

  20. Ride In Paradise Kirk. I didn’t know you personally, but as an AV rider we are all family. The disregard of your humanity by internet trolls disgusts me. Cagers don’t realize that it’s a war-zone on the road for motorcyclists; so I can forgive them. Keeping your skills sharp is the only way to take control of your life. Human error is always a factor and mistakes are made. Here’s to you Kirk for living without fear and truly enjoying one of life’s greatest pleasures to the fullest. To the rest of the AV fam; ride hard, but ride smart and we will all have Kirk smiling down on us.

  21. All you people who are leaving negative or brutal posts are scumbags, a person died, you don’t have to start making comments like this, what if it was your brother or husband or friend ? Would you still be making these terrible comments ? People Make bad choices, we all have done things we should not have, unfortunately this one cost him his life …

    Instead of bashing, I offer prayers to his loved ones, and hope he is in paradise today, not around some stupid people like I have heard hear today …

  22. I wanna say RIP KIRK it was a pleasure ridding with you i just really wish i didn’t have to see u go that way! But u are in a better place bro u will always have a place in my heart!

    • [removed]!! He may have made a mistake by speeding but he was still a human being with a heart. A very big heart at that. Take your stupid opinions and keep them to yourself. You forget that he has many loved ones that are hurting enough from what happened. No need to pour salt into their wounds. [removed]!! You will be the one rotting in hell by the way you treat people. Cause unlike you kirk had a heart!!

    • U need to keep ur rude comments to urself! Reguardless of what u think Kirk was a great man and he was loved by many! He may have been riding too fast but he was not suicidal! Boys n their toys sometimes they get over excited and try to push limits. If his riding resulted in the taking of his life its because it was his time to go, not because he killed himself! Saying he will rot in hell is wrong and bs! There is family and friends on here and the last thing they need to read is ur “holier than thow” comment! Uve obviously never known Kirk! Keep ur crappy opinions to urself!!

    • George, find out the facts before your start running your mouth.. This article is nothing but lies, and Kirk did not leave us with what was stated by this paper.. So, for future, you shouldn’t talk smack or believe what you read in the paper, as 99% is Bull…
      What you wrote was wrong and disrespectful, and you will be the one that will rot in hell…
      so, drop dead you sorry P.O.S

      • Can you fill in the blanks for us Tracey? The LA Times has a different version of the events as well, but who is to say if it is any more, or less, accurate than this story?

      • Tracey- I agree with you that the George person is a p.o.s. But I’m just wondering your imput on what of the article is false & what’s not. I’d just like to get some clarification about what really happened. Thank You.

    • Hey James im one of Kirk Lane cousins, i would like to ask you one thing, my husband ride ever day too and from work, but did Kirk have gear on, like helmet or a jacket?? My cousin is in my prays and so is ever one that is sad and missing him right now.
      R.I.P Kirk Lane may you keep riding up there

  23. Sounds like these guys were racing. 3 bikes, all speeding, two passed on the left, and one did the unwise action of passing on the right in the dirt. I’m really tired of these kids with their Ninja bikes , video taping their perils, posting it on Facebook, and think it’s a joke. But when they die, we are suppose to feel sorry for them. Not me. If they followed the laws of the land, and not let their adrenaline rush take over their judgement, they’d be celebrating the New Year instead of their family planning a funeral. I’m not mean, I’m just telling out from outside the box. Thanks to one of these types of roadhogs, I myself have a permanent disability after diying and coming back from a car wreck, so yes I can tell it like it is!!

  24. I hope the other riders were cited by the CHP for speeding! The CHP report clearly stated “high rate of speed”

  25. The problem with these bikes I have noted driving the Crest is that they think they are on a racetrack! You could just hear their bikes howling down every curve and flipped you off if you were driving less than the posted speed limit. Stupidity kills no doubt.

  26. First I am saddened by any death but particularly the preventable ones. I live directly on Angeles Forest Hwy. DAILY I See motorcycle s and vehicles haul pass past, sometimes well over 80mph. I see them pull stupid stunts, pass on the right and left and endanger not only themselves but others. I once tried to make a left turn into my driveway only to have a testosterone driven vehicle behind me pass me on the left in the opposite direction of traffic. I had to stop my turn to avoid a collision.

    It’s difficult to be empathetic to an organ donor, as we call them as it’s a conscious decision and their own free will that leads to these tragedies. I am sorry for the families but it seems these guys (and yes statistically they are men) never learn.

  27. RIP my sweet Man. I will be with you ALWAYS & FOREVER. You were my true soul mate. I can’t bare the thought of this. Please tell me its not true. First my hubby passing & then I met you and we just came into sync. I won’t give my heart to anyone else. Gosh, Shocked and traumatized is what I am. I’ll do everything I can for your family xxxooo. Love, your girlfriend, Steph

    • You feel that way now, but time truly does heal all wounds. And remember, he never would have wanted you to spend the rest of your life alone. I’m so sorry for your loss.

  28. God Bless you Kirk. You went doing something you love. Love to you and your family. Rest easy.

  30. I’m so sorry about what had happend. My prayers and heart goes out to the family and close friends. R.I.P

  31. I found out exactly at midnight that my favorite cousin Kirk Lane was killed today in motorcycle crash. I am so devastated and I cannot stop crying! He was an amazing person and will be missed by many many friends and loved ones. Rest in Peace my beloved cousin!!!!
    The above article is about him.

    • Hey Linda, don’t you thin you should be a little more considerate in releasing the name of a fatality BEFORE the authorities do? Jesus Christ woman, what if someone who doesn’t know reads this?

      • Hey George. As Kirk would say F the authorities. I have known this guy since I was 13. I’m 42 now. KIRK was an amazing person. The best I have ever known. So before you talk about authority. Know what the F you are talking about. Mike.D

        • If he was so amazing, maybe he shouldn’t have been passing motorists on the right through the dirt shoulder. Maybe the other two crotch rocket riders and other drivers/riders reading this will slow the [removed] down and stop treating public roads like a goddamn racetrack.

          Probably not, though.

          • Dave, You sound like a real [removed]. I am sure you have never went over the speed limit and I am sure you walk a narrow line, Right, Maybe you should look in your own backyard before judging other people. Judging you said your name is Dave Not Jesus so why do you think you have the right to judge anyways.I wish everyone would keep there opinion to themselves unless you have something nice to say. He has kids family and friends that are going to read this and they are suffering a huge loss. So please people be nice. RIP Kirk. We will all miss you

      • BTW George. Linda isint just some woman. It’s his cousin. You didn’t even know KIRK. Guys like you are sheep. Do what your told kinda guy. Godbless KIRK LANE. Best person I have ever known. I’m crushed to lose such a wonderful soul. Many others are too.

        • Bob. Take advice from Cheryl. This message board is not for you. Btw this Wolf saved so many lives in his years. You clearly did not know him……..this part of the message is for Kirk. Bob is funny huh. The whole sheep wolf thing.palindrome BoB.

      • Seriously…Geroge Smith- you should probably just keep your comments to yourself. Especially if you have no idea what you are talking about. & is that really how your name is spelled? Not George? Haha.

        Linda Boyer- Thank You for posting this. I think it was very considerate of you to let people know who it was. If someone were to have read this without knowing before hand that it was Kirk, in my opinion it’s just as well as if you found out via phone call/text/fb/etc. & I’m Sorry for your loss.

        Mike D.- Right on, man. I concur. Haha. & I’ve known Kirk since I was 13years old too. I’m only 27 now. But no matter how long or short you knew him, he definitely made an impact in a whole lotta people’s lives.

        Kirk- I’m gonna miss you like crazy, man. But i’ll never forget all the good times. Much Love, Dear Friend. Forever & Always. :) <3

  32. He didn’t pass in the dirt he was an amazing rider and an amazing person. They passed the truck before the turn.

    • So you’re saying this is a false report? Did you witness this tragedy first hand? Can you please revise this report to what actually transpired giving the general public the facts not fictional accounts, hearsay or the like. Thank you.

    • Yeah, there’s been multiple mentions that the information in this news article is false. Could someone please clarify what they know to be the truth about what actually happened? Much Thanks & Love. :) <3

    • Yeah these people are [removed] Un believe able that’s it not what happen in the leat I was one of the riders that was with him and had to see it the clearly isn’t what happen people are so quick to say what they think are what the hears and spread the news as if the knew. They should stay in the own lane and speak facts.

  33. RIP…some mistakes are forever.
    Ride in Paradise….
    I haven’t heard thru the network who the rider is just yet. Waiting to hear is the worst feeling. Hope my brother on 2 are ok. Story doesn’t even tell you if the person was local.