Escondido Motorcycle Accident Involves Santee Driver

A 21-year-old motorcyclist was critically injured Tuesday when another motorist ran a stop sign in Escondido, setting off a chain- reaction series of collisions that included another driver striking the injured motorcycle rider.

Edgar Hernandez-Rodriguez, of Escondido, was riding his 2006 Honda motorcycle north on Bear Valley Road at 40 mph around 5:50 a.m., when the driver of a 2003 Saturn ran through a stop sign while traveling west on Birch Street, causing the motorcyclist to strike the car, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Chris Parent.

Hernandez-Rodriguez was thrown from his motorcycle and landed in the northbound traffic lane, while the Saturn -- driven by 29-year-old Michael Maclean of Escondido, spun out of control into a southbound lane, Parent said.

A 1989 Toyota Camry headed southbound on Bear Valley Road then collided with the Saturn as bystanders rushed to Hernandez-Rodriguez's aid, Parent said.

About eight minutes later, Matthew Bertrand, 41, of Santee, was driving his 2003 Dodge Dakota northbound on Bear Valley Road at 35 mph, Parent said.

Bystanders attempted to wave down Bertrand as he approached the intersection but were unsuccessful and Bertrand struck Hernandez-Rodriguez. Parent said Hernandez-Rodriguez was taken to Palomar Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.

-City News Service