Search continues for driver who triggered deadly Imperial Valley crash

Authorities continued to search Monday for a hit-and-run driver who triggered a motorcycle crash that killed five people in the Imperial Valley.

A 36-year-old man from Mexicali, Mexico, who was initially arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol, has been released. A blood-alcohol test came out negative, officials said.

The crash occurred Saturday when a group of 21 motorcyclists from the San Diego County-based Saddletramps Motorcycle Club were traveling east on Highway 98. A gold Honda Civic with California plates attempted to pass the entire group by pulling into the westbound lane, the CHP said.

Carlos Ramirez Bobadilla, who was driving a Dodge Avenger westbound, tried to swerve to the right shoulder to avoid the oncoming Civic and overcompensated by swerving left. He lost control and slammed head-on into at least six motorcyclists, CHP officials said.

Bobadilla, whose wife was killed in the accident, was released when a blood alcohol test showed he was not under the influence, said Officer Pablo Torrez, a spokesman for the CHP in El Centro.

Four motorcycle riders were killed. Five others were airlifted or taken by ambulance to UC San Diego Medical Center or El Centro Regional Medical Center, according to the CHP.

The Civic was estimated to be traveling 90 to 100 mph when it tried to pass the entire group of motorcycles, according to the CHP. The Civic fled the scene after the accident.

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-- Stephen Ceasar

Photo: KTLA

Comments

[Streets]

Sad very Sad, My prayers to the Bikers and thier families.......

[Confused]

"He overcompensated" by swerving in the wrong direction? Come on let's get the facts right here! Also, where is the person in the civic?!? LA TIMES????

So sad for the families who are now destroyed and for th eman who lost his wife.

[Brad]

i feel for all the families who lost love ones in this tragic accident...having said that...i have been on the road when a "biker club" (gang) are driving side by side and back to back on the highway...this has always seemed very dangerous to me...and always seems better not to make eye contact with the bikers because it seems they are inviting trouble sometimes.

Sounds like the honda should not have tried to pass...but maybe these bike clubs need to find a safer way to ride as well!!

[randy]

they find the guy in the honda civic, turn him over to the surviving bikers and the family members, and let justice be served !!!!!!

[st]

other articles said the guy in the Honda, who initiated the accident by passing at 90-100 mph, was also passing in a no-passing area with a double yellow line

[David]

The Dodge HAD to be speeding too. No way should this have happened. The Dodge could have slowed and veered to the right and NOONE would have been hurt. You idiots out there need to slow down. Now 5 innocent people are dead. Not to mention the Dodge driver is more than likely an illegal alien who should not even be here.

[David]

One more thing. This was no "gang" you knuckleheads out there. Just good old boys and their gals out for a nice ride. I'm sorry for the bikers that lost their friends while out on a gorgeous day.

[monkey]

People are outraged by this driver. Why can't they give a picture of type of car. It be one of the surviving riders or someone else in the area at the time may have got glimps of the driver.

[Christina]

This is so sad- my husband and I both ride, and its not the (majority) of motorcycle riders that are dangerous it is the other vehicles. There is more safety in numbers - the more of you their are the more visible you should be to other drivers. It sounds like they were trying to take the safer way by staying off of the interstate - interstates are sometimes a lot more trouble than the slower back roads.

I really feel for all the families. I hope that they find the guy in the civic- he is the one that shoud be held responsible! And I agree- they just need to turn him over to the victims families!

[Bruce]

To Brad - You seem to be one of those paranoid, ill-informed people that think that when a group of motorcyclists are riding together under one name, that they are a gang. Please get your head out. For every 1 "gang", there is 10 riding clubs made up of doctors, pilots, teacher and other professionals. Also, there is some 300 "motorcycle ministries" out there that take God out into the land via motorcycles.
Yes, the Angels, Vagos, Green Machine, Henchmen and others are out there, but it is rare that you see them during daylight hours. And even then, they usually have a tag-along police car. And most of them don't care that you look at them, just don't disrespect them.

[W. F.]

Brad wrote...I have been on the road when a "biker club" (gang) are driving side by side and back to back on the highway...this has always seemed very dangerous to me...and always seems better not to make eye contact with the bikers because it seems they are inviting trouble sometimes. Sounds like the honda should not have tried to pass...but maybe these bike clubs need to find a safer way to ride as well!!

First of all bikers have as much rights on the road as any car. Riding in formation is the safest way to travel with a group of bikes. All fifty states give motorcycle classes and teach that this is the best and safest way to travel and the National Safety Council, Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the American Motorcyclist Association agrees. You are afraid to make eye contact with bikers? Hey we love it and give us a great big wave too, we'll wave back. You sound like a person who goes through life afraid of things you don't understand. Don't worry we won't hurt you. We're clubs not gangs.
Chicago

[Jeff K.]

I am familiar with that highway, and it is rather dangerous because of the number of speeders who zip through there. CHP is constantly patrolling that highway, but short of posting cops every half mile, there is not much more that can be done. Having lived in San Diego, I remember an accident there at least once or twice a month being on the news. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who died, most of whom apparently were just out for a nice ride. The Civic driver will be caught and prosecuted, but unfortunately, there will be more accidents like this on 98.

[Nolies]

Confused: What is the beef with the Times? You don't like the paper then go watch FOX news.

[kurt]

I have been a motorcycle rider for 45 years, but never a member of a club. I saw something that said this group was riding in a safety formation, whatever that might mean. It has long been my concern/belief, that motorcyclists who ride side by side in a lane, or bunched together, invite disaster should something happen. One rider can never tell precisely how another will react and you face a real risk of a domino effect if one rider in a bunch goes down.

I think the only safe formation is where motorcyclists maintain a separation from each other just as they do from a car.

[Eric]

Gold Honda? I saw a gold Honda racing through Salinas trying to outrun the police!

[jake hazzard]

Hey brad,,,the rest of society cant help it that your a puss and cant look another man in the eye. Maybe you should move to a very remote place in the woods of alaska or somethin you goon. Its legal to ride bikes ina pack,,and in a club...for Gods sake it wasnt the outlaws or the mongols,,it was a local good time club ou fool.

[Doc WINo]

This tragedy really upset me...and i live 1100 miles from it.

It sounds to me as if they were riding in proper formation; 2 abreast with 2 second spacing, a nice compact group. For 6 riders or more, the 'zig-zag' pattern spreads everyone out too far...a disaster waiting to happen, especially with heavy passing traffic.

Brad, you actually pissed me off. Oh well, to each his own. Most bikers are not anyone to fear...as long as you don't mess with his bike *heh*. 1%ers are just what it says...1%. Give them respect and you will get it in return. You are more likely to have an Angel or another 'outlaw' stop to assist you, than most other citizens, and if that happens you are in safe hands.

A Motorcyclist's biggest fear is to break down in strange country, away from friendly faces...and we understand your distress in that case. And in 'this' case, every Biker living within two-hundred miles will be looking for this Honda...And we will find it.

That person has no honor or respect for humanity. A fear of standing tall for their action.

For the dead, A Respectful R.I.P. Heartfelt condolences for the injured, their families and the Brothers and Sisters of the club; Saddletramps MC.

Doc. W
HillbillyJammers MC

[Greg Norman]

I was so glad to see the statement written below by Kurt. I also have ridden motorcycles for 35 years & would never participate in this perceived "safe" manner of riding in which a group of bikers bunch together in "formation". The only safety factor a motorcycle has in it's favour is maneuverability & this emergency response option is lost when you have crowd of other bikes around you trying to avoid the same emergency. Maintain separation as Kurt suggests & live to ride another day.
This does not excuse the Honda driver, but 5 bikers may be alive today if they had not been following this very unsafe "Safe" practice.

I have been a motorcycle rider for 45 years, but never a member of a club. I saw something that said this group was riding in a safety formation, whatever that might mean. It has long been my concern/belief, that motorcyclists who ride side by side in a lane, or bunched together, invite disaster should something happen. One rider can never tell precisely how another will react and you face a real risk of a domino effect if one rider in a bunch goes down.

I think the only safe formation is where motorcyclists maintain a separation from each other just as they do from a car.

[duder]

Very sad indeed! I ride, i am a father of four. I am a county employee, i work in a trauma unit. For years riding and for years working in a trauma units. My experience is 90% motorcyclist trauma VICTIMS, the accidents are always cause by automobiles drivers. Everyone is in a big hurry to get no where and as a result traumas occure. The old saying, harleys get hit and croach rockets hit other dont apply to todays times, IGNORANCE is what causes these situations. How sad, god bless all involved. My prayers to you all. :'(