The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

AV motorcyclist killed in 14 Freeway crash

by •

SANTA CLARITA – A motorcyclist hit gravel spilled in the roadway and was ejected onto the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, struck by a car and killed Wednesday night, authorities said.

Keith Earl Worley, 59, of Littlerock was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, which happened around 9:41 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, on southbound SR-14, south of Sand Canyon Road, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

The gravel in roadway came from a commercial truck/trailer combination vehicle that lost about six tons of gravel from its back trailer across all lanes of the southbound 14 Freeway, according to a California Highway Patrol report.

“The driver of the truck/trailer combination failed to notice he lost his load and continued southbound,” the CHP report states.

Worley was riding southbound on a 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he struck the gravel and was ejected, the CHP report states, then a southbound 2002 Honda Civic struck both Worley and his motorcycle.

The Civic’s driver, a 19-year-old Valencia woman, was not injured in the collision.

“A witness to the collision called 911 and reported the license plate of the truck/trailer. The owner of the truck/trailer was notified and contacted the driver, who was directed to stop, report his location and await CHP arrival,” the CHP report states.

“At this point of the investigation, it is still undetermined what caused the bottom dump door on the truck/trailer to open,” the CHP report states.

“Alcohol or drugs is not suspected to be a factor in this collision,” the CHP report states.

Caltrans responded to the scene and closed all SR-14 southbound lanes at Sand Canyon Road, according to the CHP report. Traffic was diverted off the freeway for incident investigation and roadway cleanup.

All lanes were reopened around 3:30 a.m. Thursday morning, according to the CHP report.

The incident remains under investigation.

–

35 comments for "AV motorcyclist killed in 14 Freeway crash"

  1. I missed you Keith, I knew him since 1985, at the Van Nuys Post Office. It is very sad to loose you, good bye Keith, I miss you a lot. RIP Keith
    All my sympathies to you and your family Cindy. Tai

  2. I known Keith for 30 years, I cannot believe he is gone. I talked to him the morning on the day he was killed. I asked him about his day and he said that it went great and that he needed a toll that got broken. I told him I will order it which I did ant then I said Have a nice day , I will se you tomorrow and the next day he was gone.
    I will miss him, we could always count on him for whatever was needed.

    Rest in Peace Keith.

  3. Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

  4. Keith grew up on my street back in Warren, MI in the 50′ &60’s. I’m 5 yrs his senior but he could hang with the older kids. In the later ’70’s we both had a common Desire to ride/move to Cal on our bikes. We did a ride around Lake Huron to see if we could bear each other’s bull[removed]. We had a great time and a month later we road around/cross the states for a month and a half. We did a ride ca.’84 up the West coast to Vancouver,BC thru Banff and Jasper Parks. Good travel partner, always prepared, on time and patient when necessary. Good man and I’m sorry real sorry to hear of his demise. Heart goes out to Family! It’s unfair and sad when I think of the many Fellow riders I’ve lost over the yrs.

  5. After much prayer & thought I write this to let you, his loved ones know that I arrived on the accident scene within seconds of it happening & being an ER nurse performed CPR to the best of my ability within minutes of the accident ,giving him the best chance of survival until the paramedics arrived. It was a privilege to be able to help and now share in your deep sadness and great loss.

    • This is Keith’s son, with the rest of immediate family. We just want you to know that this means so much to us. We just read your post and are so happy to know that you were there doing everything you could to help him. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts

  6. RIP Keith, My prayers go out to Cindy and the rest of the family, Keith was one of the first persons I met when I came to Santa Clarita in 2001, we would always joke about how we loved to listen to the Howard Stern radio show and have a good laugh. Truly a nice guy and a big part of out Postal service team, we will all miss him.

  8. I’m sorry for your loss Worley Family. It’s tragic how many bikers have gone down this year. I always watch out for bikes… And I move over a little for them just in case they need to maneuver around something. Prayers to you all

    • Oh, my dear. I am beyond words to express my sorrow for the loss o your husband. I am a HD rider, too. I cannot tell you anything about riding a bike, but please know you, your family, and friends are all, in my prayers. Keep your faith. In the name o Jesus Christ I pray, Amen

  10. I worked at the PO for 25 years. Keith could always fix the machine when is was broken. He would come by, fix it, say something pleasant and off he’d go. His wife has been a friend and co-worker for almost as many years. I am so saddened by his loss and my best wishes are with her and her family.

  11. I’ve known Keith for about 30 years. He was a very knowledgeable Electronic Technician. He was a big asset in the company that we work with. I am pleased to say that we’re so grateful that we were able to work with him for so long..KEITH is a very nice person inside and out. SURELY, we will miss his laughter, expertise on his job, and always willing to assist his co-workers. KEITH WE MISS YOU, already..Rest in Peace. UNTIL THEN….Mimi and Zaldy

  12. RIP Kieth gone but not forgotten I have known his family for over 35 years yall are in my thoughts and prayers so very sorry much love and respect

  14. Keith, Rest In Peace, I’ve known you since you first came on as an E.T. in Van Nuys.
    I remember you from my CCR days in Santa Clarita, you were one awesome dude and will sorely be missed by your peers and friends. Cynthia my deepest condolences to you and the family.

    CCR Rudy (retired)
    Tour III

  15. Keith is the father of one of my daughters very best childhood friends…. she has been on vacation with them, and has MANY Amazon childhood memories with the Worley family…. my heart and prayers go out to the entire family…. horrific tragedy!!!! Heart felt peace, love and strength to you all…. Allie, Tracy, and Mindy ❣️

  16. I know his boys and their mother Kandace I can only imagine they are devestated. So sorry to hear this. Caroline

  17. I worked with Keith for more than 10 years in Santa Clarita postal center.Learned a lot from him about mail processing machines.A true gentleman,smart, intelligent,humble and very handsome.I am still in disbelief.God bless his soul and my condolences to his family.

  18. Keith was my co-worker at the USPS in Santa Clarita. I saw him every morning at work and we greeted each other every single morning. I’m still in disbelief. He was one of the kindest and nicest person I know, and was extremely intelligent. I will surely miss him. Condolences to his family. :-(

  19. I didn’t know him but he sounds like a good dude. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends…………. Hug someone you love, cause you never know when it will be the last time you see them.

  20. Keith you will be missed. I worked with Keith such a kind and polite guy. God bless his family. Rip Keith you are in God’s hands now safe . So sorry Cindy for your loss my prayers are with you.

  22. Very Sad.
    Sorry for the whole family.

    India common I have to put his dog gravel truck drivers on Avenue T from the rock quarry right here they do drive like a bunch of maniacs driving down the shoulder pulling out in front of cars or motorcycles they need a CHP here 24/7 or the Sheriff’s Department

    • I’m sorry I was using voice messaging and nothing I said was corrected

    • I totally agree something has to be done to regulate these crazy gravel truck drivers . I commute 5 days a week on the 14 and those gravel are a real road hazard pulling out in front of fast moving traffic with no regard . They damage our vehicles with all the rocks that spill out as they drive down the road .

      I almost lost control when I ran into a spilled load of fine gravel , my car started sliding all over the road luckily there was no oncoming traffic.

      My condolences to the family.

    • Same thing on Palmdale Blvd. It needs to be widened. People in a hurry speed to get around them. Very dangerious.

  24. Keith was a long time good friend. Not a mean bone in his body and an example of what it means to be truly human.

  25. I worked at the U.S.Postal Service Santa Clarita Processing center with Keith for 35 years. Being in maintenance, we worked all over the building so Keith was known by everyone. He was kind, friendly and very intelligent. Whenever one of the technicians needed help on a machine, he never hesitated to help. He was well liked and will be sorely missed. Our prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends.

    • I just found out today, it hit me like a ton of bricks. We have lost a great friend and the world a great man. Keith will be missed by all that knew him, my prayer to Keith’s family.

  26. Keith is a great man his family was involved with ours in 4H for many years, because of his work schedule there were few events he got to attend. I’ll never forget his laugh, he was always willing to go out of his way when he was around, and joking around keeping the work or downtime fun. Your going to be missed.