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Two Friends Stand Trial in Deadly Motorcycle Crash

By Renee Nordstrand on March 28, 2013

Two Santa Barbara motorcyclists have been ordered to stand trial for vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving in connection with the death of a friend who was killed on Foothill Road, while allegedly racing them on his motorcycle.

According to Noozhawk.com, the three had been accused of racing at a high rate of speed when the accident occurred. The victim crossed over a double-yellow line on a blind curve and crashed into an oncoming SUV. After striking the SUV, the motorcyclist went down a steep embankment. One of his friends skidded off the road and another continued on, until he realized the other two were not following him.

The friend came back, but fled allegedly because he was afraid that police would discover he had neither motorcycle insurance nor a motorcycle license. He initially ran from police when they came to his home. He later denied that the three had been racing. The two survivors are currently being held in Santa Barbara County Jail.

A Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge determined that the 24-year-old victim of the fatal motorcycle accident might not have crashed if he had not gone out to ride with his two friends. The judge felt there was enough evidence presented at the preliminary hearing to hold a trial.

Both men have been charged with felony vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, and participating in a speed contest causing injury. Arraignment has been scheduled for April 4.

When seeking to prove liability in a wrongful death motorcycle accident, it is important that you seek a law firm that has a proven track record of winning judgments for its clients. Sometimes, determining the responsible party for a deadly motorcycle crash is not cut and dry, so having the experienced and knowledgeable legal representation that the Law Offices of Reneé J. Nordstrand can provide makes sense for your family.  We can be reached online or call us at our Santa Barbara office at (805) 962-2022 for a free and confidential review of your case.