Elk Grove Teen Motorcyclist Killed In Fatal Crash
A teen motorcyclist from Elk Grove was killed in a fatal motorcycle crash last week. The accident occurred on Friday, April 23rd at about 2:30 P.M. northbound on Bradshaw Road, near Jackson Road. According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), the teenager was riding his motorcycle at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a car. Reportedly, as the car made a left turn, the two vehicles collided near a property north of Jackson Road. Officers said the impact of the crash between the vehicles caused one of them to spin clockwise, ejecting the motorcyclist. Tragically, the motorcyclist was then struck by another vehicle that was driving behind the first vehicle. The teenager suffered fatal injuries and later died.
This is at least the second fatal crash in or near Elk Grove within the week. Elk Grove Tribune recently covered a fatal crash near Elk Grove that killed a woman. Miraculously, the two infant passengers with her survived unharmed.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office identified the teen motorcyclist as 17-year-old David Zeitulaev. Although the crash remains under investigation, authorities said they do not believe alcohol or drugs played a role. Law enforcement has yet to release any other details about the fatal crash.
Motorcycle Safety
NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 749 lives could have been saved. Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41 percent for motorcycle passengers. In other words, for every 100 motorcycle riders killed in crashes while not wearing a helmet, 37 of them could have been saved had all 100 worn helmets.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Motorcycles are less ‘crashworthy’ or able to withstand a crash than closed vehicles. In addition, they are usually less visible to other drivers, while more at risk during bad weather. For these reasons and more, driving a motorcycle requires special skills. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2018 motorcyclists died at a rate almost 30 times higher than drivers of closed vehicles during crashes.
In 2018, 4,985 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes, down 5 percent from 5,229 in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2018, motorcyclists were 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle miles traveled.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Elk Grove Tribune sends out our deepest sympathies and our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
