The Antelope Valley Times

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Palmdale teen killed in 14 Freeway motorcycle crash

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The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is encouraged to contact CHP Officer Ken Wheeler at 661-948-8541. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is encouraged to contact CHP Officer Ken Wheeler at 661-948-8541. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

PALMDALE – A 17-year-old motorcycle rider was killed Wednesday night in a traffic crash on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, authorities said.

The fatal collision occurred around 8:25 p.m. Nov. 19 on southbound SR-14 near the Pearblossom on-ramp, according to a preliminary report from the California Highway Patrol.

A 17-year-old male, riding a 2000 Yamaha, was entering the freeway from Pearblossom Highway at a high rate of speed; while 29-year-old Deborah Hernandez of Reseda was driving southbound in a 2001 Audi at the stated speed limit of 60 miles per hour, the CHP report states.

The motorcycle came to rest underneath a Toyota Tundra. CHP officers said there were at least four vehicles involved in the incident, but they're still trying to determine the sequence of events. (LUIS MEZA)
The motorcycle came to rest underneath a Toyota Tundra. CHP officers said there were at least four vehicles involved in the incident, but they’re still trying to determine the sequence of events. (LUIS MEZA)

“The motorcycle rider crossed over the gore point to enter the freeway. At the same time, Hernandez drove onto the gore point from the #3 lane,” the CHP report states.

“The motorcycle rider applied the brakes and the motorcycle slid out from under the rider. The motorcycle slid on its side and struck the right rear of the Audi,” the CHP report states.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, according to the CHP report. He was identified as Jesse Alan Martinez, 17, of Palmdale, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

CHP officers said at least four vehicles were involved in the incident, but no other injuries were reported.

Thursday morning, investigators were still trying to determine the chain of events involving the other vehicles, according to CHP Officer Thomas.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and anyone who may have witnessed this collision is encouraged to contact CHP Officer Ken Wheeler at 661-948-8541.

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51 comments for "Palmdale teen killed in 14 Freeway motorcycle crash"

  1. Jesse u were a very good neighbor and friend i will Miss u. We will always have u in our heart we will Miss u and i LOVE u!!!

  3. So very sad…the very thought of a parent having to burry a child is heart breaking. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

  4. Right now all the finger pointing and judgement isn’t needed,,what Jesse should have done or not should have done…,right now someone has lost a son,a brother…and so young….the pain for the family must be unbearable…sending much support and my heart goes out to the Martinez family…..its a tough one…RIP Jesse

  5. Im going to miss you bro i know. We just meet bro . You was a good friend. You dont have to go that way bro you was just 17teen. you didn’t have to go that way its crazy how people in this world is some like they cant think Straight this day . Is not going to be the some when you dont show up to the park to just chill with your BOY’S

  6. sorry to say it but he wasn’t using his head going to the 14.you just don’t pass cars that fast.your bound. to lose it

    • R.I.P GOOD BUddy we had alot of fun before but i will truly miss my old friend which is you who i had treated as a brother that never had so R.I.P

  8. This is so unreal I was just getting to know you jesse even though You’ve been around me since you were 10 years old. You were just at my house visiting Anthony the day you passed. Anthony, cindella (aka c.g.b), and johnny are gonna miss you so much. It broke my heart to see Kenny crying his eyes out yesterday he didn’t even want to let go from hugging me . Your family are in my prayers ride on lil bro.

  9. I see this happen too many times since i commute on the 14 and merge on this ramp on a daily basis, these drivers see you merging on the freeway but yet this knuckle heads continue on not speeding up or moving over to make room for you to merge. Some times i have to slow down so much just so they can pass, come on people share the road!!!

    • They think they have the right of way…. the person merging in does. And motorcycles usually do go faster than cars. But when i Google Earthed this on ramp. My question is why was the car going into the gore point?

      • Dude I have been using the name “hmmm” on here for a long time! Go find your own name and stop making me look like a dick!

  10. Didn’t a woman die on a bike in this same spot earlier this year!? And sad no need to say the rider was in the wrong people! An 18 year old life was lost!!! Show some respect! Poor kid so young…

  11. Jessie knew how to ride,the 14 freeway on ramp is not safe.
    The driver of the car cut him off. From two lanes over to enter a lane where the next exit is way down the road

    • Looking at the pictures and from what CHP said, the rider tried to get on the freeway before the merging point by crossing over the gore which is a dumb and unsafe thing to do. Kind of hard to blame the other driver for apparently cutting him off in that case.

  12. My condolences to the Martinez Family so sorry for your lost, I was shocked when my son called me early morning today to tell me his riding buddy had past last night , my prayer goes out to the family to find strength and peace the mist of this tragedy .

  13. Sorry for ever selling your brother the bike and in turn becoming your bike. My love and condolences go out to dale and his family. I’m sorry from the botto. Of my heart

  14. RIP Jesse .. I love you so much .. I told you not to get that motorcycle but you just won’t listen haha.. I wish I didn’t end like this .. I can’t believe you’re gone bubs. I haven’t been able to stop crying all day.. Why you?

  17. Aw Jesse.. I love you so much. We just talked a couple days ago.. always had that smile on your face. I just wish I could see it one more time.. My prayers go out to Jesse’s family. He’s loved by all of his friends, and will forever be missed. Jesse, you’re in my heart forever. Rest in paradise.

  18. This has been a tragic year. I’ve been in a bike wreck my friend was lost on Angeles crest highway and countless incidents like this. There are so many ways to learn better skill but to fast to young is so often the case. If you know people that ride let them know about socalsportbikes.org and a video on you tube twist of the wrist 2. About an hour long I’ve watched it for years and still watch it and I always learn new things. My prayers to the boys family.

    • People jus need to slow down, What y’all in a rush for???? People always wanna be first in life, Its better to be last to avoid being killed, My condolences goes out to everyone in the accident, its sad for everyone, R.I.P youngsta!!!!! Not to say that person was speedn, but everyone needs to drive not for urself but for others

      • It’s the connotation that comes with riding a street bike. They think just because you ride one you have to go FAST!! They think just cause you ride one, you have to drive recklessly(not saying he was) They think just because you ride one you have to live on the edge.

  19. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young man.
    Callitasitis, your comment above is very true. Retired Harley builder/rider and certified driving instructor.

    When I hear about this type of accidents, the first thing that comes to mind is, was he really trained properly? What I mean is this, was he trained with the acronym SIPDE?
    S-scan I-identify P-predict D-decide E-execute and as much as possible, eye contact with other drivers so they know you’re there.

    The problems that I’ve noticed here in CA is riders are allowed to break lanes and by that I mean they are allowed to ride right next to a car. I come from a state that does not allow this, why? The driver maybe aware of the rider coming up on the right and the passenger may not be aware of said rider. Passenger may open the door to pour out a drink and next thing you know, the proverbial door prize. SMH….

    I’ve been a rider for over 38 yrs., no accidents and there should be a law, if you want a motorcycle license, be an organ donor. Many people won’t, by claiming religious reasons. How about making it a law and if your religion does not allow you to be an organ donor. If that stops a person from getting their motorcycle license, perhaps they should not be riding?!?

    This is a very tragic time for both families, one family lost a son and the other has to live with the fact that someone died. If that’s not tragic, what is?!? My prayers are with both families.

    If you ride, become an organ donor or don’t ride….see how simple that was?

    This is just my opinion and you can take it or leave.

  20. Jesse :( we talked a while ago and it was great..I can’t believe this is real. Rest in peace you were a great guy.

  21. He was my cousin… I will miss him so much, I’ve been trying to tell myself that he’s gone but he doesn’t seem like sombody that this would happen to…

    • I’ve been friends with Jesse since 4 th grade ,in Mr ukos class and Mr prince class ,barrel springs elementary and desert willow more middle school ,Palmdale high school, can’t believe I lost a brother. My condolences.
      Plz email me info for his service.
      Or who I can talk to I would like to pay my respect to my brother
      stevensjohndeere@yahoo.com

  22. My brother had just talked to him on monday on our way home seen him at the light. So sad to hear this v.v

  23. I never rode a motorcycle, I’m an engineer type, way too capable of computing the risk vs the reward. I commuted via that onramp for 19 years and had problems just trying to get my car on the freeway probably two times out of five. So astoundingly many times people would come down the slow lane like they owned it, never acknowledging that I was even there.

  25. So sorry for your loss. From the little information given it appears this biker was traveling too fast and by his age, was not greatly experienced. Many lives were impacted. I hope for everyone’s sake that a fair and impartial investigation takes place.

  26. Debi, callitasitis & BigRick make very good points. You have to be a defensive rider to try and avoid issues and at the same time be ready to go offensive to escape an accident. The wisdom to “go offensive” come from training and experience.
    Jesse may you rest in peace.

  27. Heard about this from my son this morning. Our condolences to the family, Jesse was a good friend of my son. So young , such a tragic loss. God bless and give you strength and courage during this difficult time.

  28. This is a dangerous on-ramp if drivers do not use caution. Everyday commuters can become too casual about this spot. Drivers entering the freeway MUST yield to freeway traffic. It is easy to be entering too fast, as many drivers do. Your car is not a time machine. If you treat it like one, it can send you to eternity.

    • Its so many ways of getting into an accident, Imma say this, If it’s ur time, its ur time, it cannot be avoided jus stay alert, stay defensive, watch the road…..

  29. Gosh…. this is so so horrible. As a motorcycle rider myself and a resident of his city, Palmdale, I am so sadden and at a loss of words when it comes to young people who lose their life, especially at his age. May god bless you, your family, friends and all of us touched by this tragic event. You will be missed but not forgotten. See you again brother.

  30. Horrible, One of the reasons I will not let my children follow my path of riding. I know it is not always the riders fault(been there) I also know its not always the drivers fault. But this is what I see and I ride 10,000 miles min per year. Aggressive riders both SportBike and Cruisers, Very bad auto drivers with near sound proof cars and stereo’s blasting, Cell phones eating etc, Riders with little experience more interested playing Biker or Racer , The Biker type with a plastic helmet t shirt no gloves etc and the Sport guy with no mirrors signals removed and going 30mph faster than traffic…I can say this because I ride near everyday and see all these idiots ruin it for others or the Car driver so pre occupied with his own world he has no clue a bike is around. I suggest harder laws on riders much like japan. I suggest the CHP and others get off their butts and nail the speeders on the 14 and enforce the fake helmet crap. Then to top it off the bar/bike crowd. The bars around here have less than skilled riders(drivers too) pounding down 2-3 and going to the next spot and it goes on all the time. Bar on Serria Hwy, Bar on M at the tracks 2 bars on I and then the regular bike night crowds..easy fix DUI a few each spot and maybe someone will get it. As far as this young man maybe skill/speed was the issue but others I see…bad gear/drunk driving.

    • you should teach your children the right way to ride, to observe, and even to fall… because someday they may want to ride, and who is going to teach them… and were are they going to get the experience, if not from you! Share your love with them… and let it be in safety. It seems the tragedy in this accident is from not observing the posted limits and ignoring the merging laws which give the right of way to the freeway not those entering. This is so sad! I can’t imagine losing a child! My thoughts are definitely with them! But, the solution isn’t sheltering… protect your children with knowledge!

      • They did teach him and he rode with his whole family but you cannot be with your kids 100%of the time!! They are devastated!! This photo is extremely tasteless too and should not be published for people to see!!!

        • Agreed. Tasteless and hurtful photos. Particularly for members of this large and loving family. This is and will forever be a painful and tragic event for all involved. Please be mindful of your comments and realize that not all of your opinions need to be shared.

    • Everybody I have ever known who rides these bikes (coincidentally all Yamaha) have died from motorcycle accidents. This includes my brother and one of his friends. His other friend barely survived but lives with brain damage now. I know his his family feels, and my heart goes out to them. There really needs to be stricter regulations for people who buy these bikes. Very powerful motorcycles are being sold to people who have no experience and they aren’t even required to take a safety course. Something really needs to change, too many lives are being lost. Especially young guys like my brother who think they are invincible such as my brother. There are just too many people dying from motorcycle accidents. Something needs to be done.

  31. It is always sad to hear about some young person losing their life, if you ride, you have to ride defensively. Most motorcycle collision occurs 6 month after the person has gotten their license. It is a skill set that take time and riding to develop just like driving an automobile. Speeding is always a contributing factor to a lot of traffic collisions. It is an extremely sad day in this young man family.

    • callitasitis, you are absolutely correct on “you have to ride defensively”. There are a lot of drivers out there in cars that shouldn’t even be driving(I suspect this is the case here). I am a motorcycle rider as well, so I can speak first hand about that. You have to be better than a car driver to drive a cycle in my opinion. And I am sure Jess is in that category. Most car drivers don’t look twice, don’t have their mirrors positioned correctly and are simply not capable of possessing a drivers license, thou they have one. Be careful fellow riders, be careful.