Crime & Safety
[Updated] Sean Cullen, 22, Victim in Fatal SR 78 Collision
The Sheriff's Department closed the road at Third Street and Old Julian Highway.
Originally posted at 12:44 p.m., July 25, 2013. Updated at 9:45 a.m. July 26, 2013
Sean Kelly Cullen, 22, has been identified as the man from Ramona who was killed Thursday afternoon after his motorcycle collided with a BMW on state Route 78 just east of Magnolia Avenue, the San Diego County Medical Examiner reported.
According to a report from the California Highway Patrol, Cullen was riding a 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 eastbound on the highway at about 60 miles per hour. The motorcyclist then lost control and crossed the double yellow lines into the path of a 2005 BMW X5 traveling westbound on SR 78, also at 60 miles per hour, just before noon.
CHP said the 22-year-old died at the scene from his injuries and the driver of the BMW, a 59-year-old Ramona woman, was transported to Palomar Hospital via ambulance after complaining of head pain.
A SigAlert was issued by CHP Thursday afternoon following the accident after they closed a stretch of the highway for hours while authorities investigated the scene.
Ramona has had one of the highest motorcycle death rates in the county over the past decade, with an average annual rate of 5.2 per 100,000 people, according to a San Diego County Medical Examiner's report released this week.
There were 57 motorcycle deaths in the county last year, the most since 2008 when there were 61.
Shauntel Lowe contributed to this report.
Original Story
A fatal traffic collision involving a vehicle and a motorcyclist caused a road closure on Highway 78 near Magnolia Avenue, California Highway Patrol reported.
According to the CHP website, an unknown vehicle collided with a motorcycle just before noon near a curve on Highway 78.
The Sheriff's Department closed the road at Third Street and Old Julian Highway.
A SigAlert has been issued by CHP. Westbound traffic is being diverted to Old Julian Highway and eastbound traffic to Third Street.
Ramona has had one of the highest motorcycle death rates in the county over the past decade, with an average annual rate of 5.2 per 100,000 people, according to a San Diego County Medical Examiner's report released this week.
There were 57 motorcycle deaths in the county last year, the most since 2008 when there were 61.
Patch will keep you updated.
Shauntel Lowe contributed to this report.
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