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Barstow motorcyclist killed in crash near Fort Irwin

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August 21, 2009 3:43 PM

By JESSICA CEJNAR, staff writer

FORT IRWIN • A 33-year-old Barstow man was killed after his motorcycle struck the rear side of a van near mile marker 21 on Fort Irwin Road around 6:35 a.m. Friday.

Luis Ernesto Perez was traveling northbound on Fort Irwin Road on his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle, according to a report from the California Highway Patrol. Perez, passing a slower moving vehicle ahead of him, crossed into the southbound lane before he realized a delivery van in front of the car he was passing was turning left from the northbound lane across the southbound lane and into a dirt turnout area. Perez attempted to stop, but collided with the left rear side of the van behind the rear wheel and was ejected from his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics, according to San Bernardino County Coroner’s reports. The road at this location consists of a single northbound and southbound lane, both separated by broken double yellow painted lines, according to the CHP report.

The collision occurred just before the army tanks about 150 feet off post, said Fort Irwin Spokesman John Wagstaffe.

According to CHP Spokesman Officer Taj Johnson, officers received the call at about 6:30 a.m. and shut down traffic coming out of Fort Irwin until 11:30 a.m. He said traffic going northbound into the fort was diverted onto a truck bypass road.

The last fatality that happened on Fort Irwin Road since improvements were made in 2006 occurred April 2008, Wagstaffe said. A worker fell asleep, swerved out of his lane and hit a cement mixer in the opposite lane, he said. Prior to the road being fixed, Wagstaffe said, many of the fatalities occurred because the driver fell asleep.
The numerous crosses put in place by military police on post mark fatalities that have happened along the road, he said.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or jcejnar@desertdispatch.com

Deaths on Fort Irwin Road:
• Since street improvement, November 2006: Two.
• Between 1988 and 1992: About one a month.

Source: Fort Irwin Spokesman John Wagstaffe

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18 comments

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barstowphil

6:28 PM on August 21, 2009

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Dangerous stretch of road. If any place can use a high speed train it's the route to Ft. Irwin. It would save lives presumably, and provide a faster and more convienient way to get to work and home. Consolations to his family.

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vaniaesquivel

7:17 PM on August 21, 2009

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That was my bestfriends dad:'(

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serious02

7:44 PM on August 21, 2009

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Just for everyone's information, the Fort Irwin Police Deaprtment has disbanded their traffic accident investigation section that had at one time slowed and almost eliminated the number of traffic accidents on this road. Could they have prevented this accident, probably not but the traffic officers are now assigned to regular patrol duties because of the ineffective leadership at this department. I know of an officer out there that was very strict when it came to traffic enforcement/safety and I have not seen him on this road in several months. The drivers on Fort Irwin road know that he is not out there anymore and now are taking advantage of his absence. I am so sorry to hear of this gentleman's passing and pray that the commanding general looks into his police department's actions as to why they stopped having a bonafide traffic section in this department as every other Army installation has a traffic section up and running.

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loriangel2009

9:26 PM on August 21, 2009

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He was my boyfriends "boy" they worked together and had fun together. My prayers go to the wife and kids, im so sorry for the loss.I still can not belive it

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latrell88

11:13 PM on August 21, 2009

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Perez was my Soldier back in 07 and we were also in the same troop within 11th ACR. I am still in shock that he is no longer with us. He was a great person that always tried to help everyone out no matter what type of situation it was. My heart goes out to his family and he will truly be missed. RIP Perez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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1:37 AM on August 22, 2009

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turtlelover

7:31 AM on August 22, 2009

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Someone should investigate why the Army moved the parking area from the east to the west side of Fort Irwin Road. The proximate cause of this accident seems to be that a van had to slow down, on a 55 mph road, and turn left into the off post parking area. There is no turning lane on this busy road. The parking area used to be on the opposite side, but when Fort Irwin built their Truck Bypass Road, the new approach ramp was in the way, so they foolishly moved it to the other side. Now people who drive to Fort Irwin, who are not allowed to drive on post, have to slow to almost a complete stop to make the 90 degree turn to the left into this parking area, rather than just driving on the shoulder to turn right. I wonder if this was reviewed and approved by CALTRANS or if Fort Irwin just unilaterally made this decision, which seems like a contributing factor to the accident.

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liafacevedo

7:34 AM on August 22, 2009

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Luis was my littler brother, some with a huge heart, always willing to help others. Oh God.. neno you will always be my littler brother, love you for ever.