Car-Bike Accidents Keep Los Gatos Police Busy, Victims Taken to Hospital

Two car-bike accidents recently have Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police urging motorists to be watchful of motorcycles and bicycles.

The motorcyclist- and bicyclist-related car accidents took place on Oct. 18 at Camino Del Sol and Los Gatos Boulevard and at Loma Alta Avenue and Los Gatos Boulevard.

In the first one, reported at 12:11 p.m., a car driven by a 76-year-old San Jose woman pulled out from the stop sign at Camino Del Sol, across the northbound lanes of Los Gatos Boulevard, and for some reason, stopped, said Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police Sgt. spokesman Kerry Harris.

The motorcycle, ridden by a 31-year-old San Jose resident, was travelling northbound on Los Gatos Boulevard at about 25 mph and struck the car broadside, Harris said.

The motorcyclist was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with lacerations and abrasions. "I have no other information about his condition," Harris said, adding that the driver was at fault for violating the right of way of the motorcyclist by pulling out in front of him.

In the second accident, at about 3:04 p.m., a 15-year-old young woman riding a bicycle, a resident of San Jose and Los Gatos High School student, was northbound on Los Gatos Boulevard from the school.

After stopping, she proceeded north through the intersection of Loma Alta Avenue, when the driver of an automobile, a 58-year-old San Jose woman, struck her broadside as she was turning left onto eastbound Loma Alta from the stop sign at southbound Los Gatos Boulevard, Harris explained.

The girl was thrown from the bike, and sustained an injury to her ankle, as well as lacerations on her leg and elbow. She was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital, Harris said.

The driver in the latter accident was also at fault for violating the right of way of the bicyclist, Harris added. 

"As always, the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department urges motorists to be watchful for motorcycles and bicycles. By virtue of their size, bicycles and motorcycles are harder to see, so require a greater degree of attention from motorists who are operating their vehicles near them," Harris said.