Blog Post

Bicycle Accident Kills California Teenager


August 30, 2007
Topic: Bicycle Accidents

It was a back to school story that started off like millions of others around the country. 14-year-old Danny Oates of Huntington Beach, California was looking forward to getting back with his classmates after three months apart. Like all California kids, he'd spent the summer at the beach under the warm summer sun. He'd recently trimmed off his mullet to the amusement of his family and friends, and was even looking to recover from a lost summer love.

On Wednesday afternoon, Danny jumped on his bike and began riding towards Sowers Middle School, barely half a mile from his Huntington Beach, California home. He never made it. A Ford F-150 coming from the opposite direction crashed into the teenager throwing him 50 to 100 feet. Danny died soon after impact.

The driver of the Ford F-150, a 20-year-old Huntington Beach, California resident has not been taken into custody, but toxicology reports are pending to ascertain whether there were alcohol or drugs involved. After the tragic bicycle accident, he was taken to the Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, California to be evaluated for internal injuries.

According to Huntington Beach police, the Ford F-150 swerved across traffic lanes and veered into oncoming traffic before striking Danny. The cause of this erratic driving is not known at this point. The truck reportedly traveled at least 25 feet after hitting Danny, knocked against a palm tree before crashing into the yard of a home nearby. Investigations into the bicycle accident are expected to begin, and a review will be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

In the days after your loved ones dies a wrongful death due to negligence, it's natural to feel confused and traumatized. While nothing can ever reverse personal tragedy, a wrongful death claim can help prevent future tragedies and help the victim's family recover financially. If you've lost a loved one in an accident, call the experienced auto accident lawyers at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.


The California personal injury attorneys at The Reeves Law Group represent victims of accidents, injuries and wrongful death throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Fresno County, Kern County, Sacramento County, San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Torrance, Glendale, Bakersfield, Santa Ana, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Ontario, and Victorville.