The Antelope Valley Times

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Motorcyclist dies after Palmdale crash, driver arrested

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The collision occurred at the intersection of Avenue P and 15th Street East. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
The collision occurred at the intersection of Avenue P and 15th Street East. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
PALMDALE  – A motorcyclist died at the hospital after a traffic collision in Palmdale Friday evening and the other driver was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run, authorities said.

The collision occurred around 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the intersection of Avenue P and 15th Street East, according to a news release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

The motorcyclist, a 23-year-old Lancaster man, was traveling east on Avenue P when he collided with a Kia SUV that pulled out in front of him from 15th Street East, the news release states.

The motorcyclist was treated by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics and then transported to Antelope Valley Hospital where he died from his injuries. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

“The male driver of the SUV was located a short distance away and arrested by Palmdale Station deputies for hit-and-run,” the news release states.

The driver’s name was not immediately released. He was identified only as a 54-year-old man from Palmdale.

Avenue P, from 10th to 20th Street East, was shut down until about 2 a.m. Saturday to allow for the investigation.

Anyone with information on this fatal collision is encouraged to call Palmdale Station’s Traffic Department at 661-272-2400.

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UPDATE: The deceased has been identified as Austin Morales, according to court records.

46 comments for "Motorcyclist dies after Palmdale crash, driver arrested"

  1. I’m so sad just found out I worked with the family Austin was a happy person very kind to others he will welcome u with open arms he was so funny I seen him and his wife at the hospital when I got sick I seen him there with his baby was sick I was so happy for him he had just started a family , I still can’t believe he is gone he was full of life , we will miss u Austin u will always be with us in heart and soul , you will never be forgotten ❤️ Ur with our lord now we love you

  2. My heart aches 4 the family of Austin – Sending my condolences to his wife, kids and all those who loved him – Death of A loved one is such A powerful pain , just know God has plans for Austin may he rest in peace!! As for the driver? I am praying for his FAMILY as well.. I cant imagine getting A call saying my son had taken A life while drinking and driving- they are going through A different pain – A pain that they are not accountable for !! Yet feeling helpless just the same! May you all find some peace in the lord!!

  3. Im still in shock such a good humble man was taken from this earth , it must mean god is in need of Angels so he took Austin Morales from us , though we didnt keep much contact after high school he was a very funny , enthusicatic dude. He was always there for me with his warm hugs an bright smile . I still remember when we meet in quartz hill high school he was rocking glasses lol , Im in disbelief this happen to him , prayers go out to victor , christian an the rest of the family! , prayers to his wife an his baby girls! God Bless you Austin ! Just know you will be miss !!! You were loved by many ! Watch over us ! We love you !!!!

  4. The wife and I had just left Chili’s and heading home east on Ave P. It must of just happened a couple of min. before we passed the red SUV and the bike laying on the road. A couple more Sherriff vehicles were arriving in front of us.The horn of the red SUV was stuck on and as we passed, we could see Austin laying on his back reaching his arms up and moving to talk with a Sherriff deputy who was leaning over him while waiting for a paramedic. We thought he was going to be alright because he was visibly moving. How terrible for your loss and we send our condolences to the family. God bless.

  5. My condolences to this young man’s family, friends, co-workers and loved ones. Actually, his soul will not be resting in peace, he is in the outer reaches of the Van Allen Belt awaiting possible deification for about 40 years, he can see all of you at once if he so chooses, he can be present with every one of you at the same time if he so chooses. He will realise sooner or later that he can manipulate objects, especially electronics. So if any of you all see something trying to communicate with you through electronics, usually by synchronicity, I suggest you take notice. All those that were touched by his kindness and compassion, please relay that to other people you come across to honor him, he would be especially pleased. As for the driver in custody, his intentions that evening was not to harm or kill anyone, he was trying to drink away some pain, again. My prayers go out on his behalf. Alcahol should be unavailable for consuming, there is no realistic point to it. How many people have gotten hurt, killed, made terrible decisions and overpowered by the stuff while their makers enjoy large profits. After a gun assault, they have no problem blaming the firearm itself and lobby for greater gun control but they are not remotely addressing booze related incidents yet they have no problem targeting the people in its grasp. It’s pretty much not right.

    • To Blue Spectral Storm,
      Condolences to family and friends of the victim. After reading your comment I was wondering if u could be more specific on the manipulation of electronics. I’m interested in your opinion on that. Is there another way to contact you? Besides the public newspaper?

      • Let’s set up a separate fb group to tall to not disturb family and friends nor the topic of this man’s death and meet there in messages and then take it to a further private spot to avoid trolls that are sure to follow. I have stories about electronic activity I can share that are very specific first hand and compelling

        • Join lancaster peace in the Middle East (it’s a specific neighborhood watch group on fb that I mod) to message admin if interested in the off topic after death stuff anybody serious is welcome) and we can start a group pm through that channel private to just a few interested. But that group is a spot where I can have the ability to connect people and if anybody trolls we can just remove them from the convo. Make sure to PM that you aren’t just signing on for the neighborhood watch though or I won’t know).

    • Drink away pain?
      So because he was in pain, let him make that decision to get in a car & kill an innocent young life? He drank his pain away but now he took a loving husband, father, son, brother, cousin & friend. That man deserves to wrott in prison for the rest of his life. He forever changed the lives of the people who loved him. & he gets to continue to live.

  6. I worked with him at Kinkisharyo in Palmdale. The entire company’s in shock. God bless you and your family Austin…

  7. This is really tragic. Austin was smart, very cool guy. He was working with us down in Commissioning getting the trains ready at Monrovia. He was excited to be coming down here. God bless his soul, his young family, friends, co workers. You will be missed buddy. This world will not be the same without you.

    • This was one of the saddest days of MY life. We were so looking forward to completing our team with Austin’s talent and enthusiasm. He was so bright, so funny, just such a wonderful human being. I cannot begin to understand why this happened and how we will ever be able to accept it. His poor wife must be beyond consolation; his parents and siblings the same. The only silver lining is that we were lucky to have known him at all.

      As for the driver of the SUV? I’m just glad I will never meet him.

  8. Motorcycles are sometimes very difficult to see. And not all of the these streets are very well lit. I’m not blaming nor excusing any one from fault. Just saying that I am always nervous about motorcycles around. It’s too bad that this young man lost his life.

  10. The guy who hit him was drunk and had no license he’s in jail in palmdale on dui charges and multiple warrants

  11. This was my best friend he was an awesome guy always with a smile rip Austin we will never forget you

  12. This is very sad. I myself am the same age, I also ride, and I have lived on 15th & 20th street East and ave Q most of my life. I am full of rage when I see dumb drivers out there never paying attention, especially around that exact intersection. This is not the first crash there. The city needs to add a traffic light there. Ive had my close calls there and it is not fair that a brother/father/husband is gone too early.
    CITY OF PALMDALE add a damn traffic light or stop sign here!!!
    IRRESPONSIBLE DRIVES STAY OFF THE ROAD OR PAY ATTENTION!!!

  13. how horrible I was there with the guy begging him not to move until the paramedics got there what a tragedy what are horrific accident that poor guy may his soul rest in peace…. my heart and blessings go out to his family!!!

      • Yes of course, first I am so sorry for your loss tremendously, my # is 6612647359 if you would like I could always meet with her as well, again my heart goes to all of you for Austin.

        • Thank you James this is gonna give her a piece of mind, & thank you for comforting him while the paramedics got there. You are a hero.

    • Thank you for being there for my cousin it’s nice to know an amazing human being like you was there to comfort him thank you thank you❤️

  14. I am so sorry for your loss. This young man was full of life and a joy to work with I will miss him dearly God be with you and your families my friend..

  15. This really kills me !! This kid was such a good young man .. Sorry for your loss jazmine ! Love Jaimie’s mom

  17. The 23-year-old was my brother, in total we are 4 brothers. He was always full of joy and happiness. He always had a way to make everyone laugh. He has a wife and 3 beautiful baby girls. He was on the way to work when this happened. I have alot of great things to say about my brother. R.I.P

    • God be with you and your family. I’ve lost a sibling and I will tell you that life is never the same. 6years later I can now smile and even laugh when I remember certain things, but my still breaks when I forget and think about calling her to tell her something. Hug your mama a lot, real tight. As hard as it is for you, I’m betting that no matter how strong she might be acting for you and your brothers inside she is shattered. Like I said, God bless all of you. You will be in my prayers.

    • Sorry for your loss your brother was the sweetest person always had a smile on his face. He’s truly going to be missed. I still can’t believe he’s gone

    • You have my deepest condolences. I know what it’s like to lose a family member in such a horrible way. My heart is aching for your loss, and especially for his wife and children. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY.

    • I am deeply sorry for your loss. And not only your loss, but I am deeply sorry that the Queen of his life and their four Princesses no longer have their Daddy. This loss is unspeakable.

    • So sorry for your loss Jesus, I’m your Mother’s cousin, everyone in the family is in shock, only God knows the reason, can’t still believe this is happening. Say to Angelica and Dad that I love them and God bless you all.

    • Sorry for your familys loss…..he was a very good young man….I just spoke to him a few days ago…..rest in peace brother…..

    • So sorry over the loss of your brother Jesus- I am not comparing feelings by no means- but i as well lost my brother at age 26- Its going to take time to get past the pain :/ but slowly TRY to replace this awful memory with the great memories of having such A wonderful brother and the joy he brought into the lives of so many!God bless may Austin fly high with the angels!!

    • I KNOW HIM, HIS BROTHERS, AND HIS PARENTS. MY SON WENT TO SCHOOL WITH THEM. WHEN MY SON TOLD ME WHAT HAPPEN I COULD DO NOTHING BUT HAVE TEARS IN MY EYES. HIM AND HIS FAMILY ARE GOOD, HARD WORKING, GENUINE PEOPLE. MY FAMILY AND I RENTED SOME SWAP MEET SPACE FROM THEM A FEW YEARS BACK AND I ALWAYS KNEW WHEN AUSTIN WAS IN THE BUILDING. HE IS SO FUNNY, OUTGOING, AND LOVES PEOPLE. HE WOULD COME INTO MY STORE AND TALK TO ME EVERYDAY. WHEN I WAS HAVING A BAD DAY AND REALLY DIDNT WANT TO TALK, AUSTIN WOULD BRIGHTED UP MY DAY ON MANY OCCASIONS. I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU, BUT I WANT HIM TO KNOW I TRULY APPRECIACTED THE GOOD COMPANY. AUSTIN, AUSTIN, AUSTIN, YOUR SPIRIT IS PURE AND FULL OF LOVE AND EVENTHOUGH WE CAN’T SEE YOU, WE CAN MOST CERTAINLY FEEL YOUR LOVE. REST IN PARADISE MY FRIEND MY FAMILY WILL MISS YOU.