Gary Shanks, 54, of Simi Valley and Orlando Castellon, 19, of Lancaster, were killed and four others were injured in a fiery Ventura County motorcycle accident after several cycles collided on a highway. According to a news report in The Ventura County Star, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred the afternoon of September 18, 2011 on Highway 33 between Lockwood Valley and Pine Mountain Summit north of Ojai.

Tragic Head-On Collision

California Highway Patrol officials say Shanks and Castellon were parts of groups of motorcyclists who were riding in opposite directions. Officials say Castellon, who was traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control of his motorcycle, crossed the double yellow lines into opposing lanes of traffic and crashed head-on into Shanks. This initial collision caused a chain-reaction crash that left four other motorcyclists injured. An investigation is ongoing.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Gary Shanks and Orlando Castellon, the two motorcyclists who died in this crash. My heart also goes out to the injured motorcyclists. I wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to CHP's 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 13 fatalities and 192 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Ventura County. Also, during the same year, 57 people died and 3,421 were injured as a result of Ventura County car accidents.

Laws and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, officials believe that speed was a factor in this fatal motorcycle accident. Officials say Castellon crossed into opposing lanes of traffic, possibly, because he was traveling at a high rate of speed. California Vehicle Code Section 22350 (Basic Speed Law) states: "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic and on surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

If the teen driver is determined to have been at fault, the family of the deceased victim and the other injured victims can seek compensation from his estate and liability insurance. An experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer will advise injured victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options.