David Jensen, 49, was killed and his wife, 52-year-old Bernardine Jensen, was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Escondido, after they were thrown off their 2005 Harley-Davidson that hit a barbecue dropped on the roadway. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, the couple was traveling in the fast lane of the 15 Freeway the morning of June 15, 2010, when they struck the barbecue, which had fallen off another vehicle. California Highway Patrol officials said Jensen drove right into it.

The impact from the crash sent the grill rolling into another lane where it was struck by a Toyota driven by a 31-year-old woman. That car also struck David Jensen who was on the roadway. He died at the scene of the collision. His wife sustained broken bones and other injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of David Jensen for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. My heart especially goes out to Bernardine Jensen, who saw her husband struck and killed on the roadway. Please keep her and other grieving family members in your prayers. I also wish Bernardine Jensen the very best for a speedy and complete recovery from her injuries.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) there was one fatality and 44 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Escondido. In San Diego County as a whole, 246 people died and 13,527 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.

Law Relating to Roadway Debris

Under California law, drivers can be penalized for dropping anything other than live bird feathers or water from their vehicles on to the roadway. If the debris causes injury or death to others, these negligent individuals can be held civilly and criminally responsible. I sincerely hope that the driver who dropped this barbecue grill on the roadway will be found and held accountable for this fatal accident.

Claim for Compensation

Car accident victims who are injured as a result of debris on the roadway can seek compensation from the person who dropped the debris on the roadway. However, if the individual is never identified or found, the uninsured motorist provision of the victims' car insurance policy could compensate the injured victim or the family of the deceased victim. A San Diego personal injury lawyer will be able to explain their legal rights and options as well as how the victim's car insurance policy would apply to a roadway debris accident.

Have you encountered debris on the roadway? Please share your experiences with us.

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.