Search continues for driver who triggered deadly Imperial Valley crash
November 15, 2010 | 9:29 am
Authorities continued to search Monday for a hit-and-run driver who
triggered a motorcycle crash that killed five people in the Imperial
Valley.
A 36-year-old man from Mexicali, Mexico, who was initially arrested on
suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol, has been released.
A blood-alcohol test came out negative, officials said.
The crash occurred Saturday when a group of 21 motorcyclists from the
San Diego County-based Saddletramps Motorcycle Club were traveling
east on Highway 98. A gold Honda Civic with California plates
attempted to pass the entire group by pulling into the westbound lane,
the CHP said.
Carlos Ramirez Bobadilla, who was driving a Dodge Avenger westbound,
tried to swerve to the right shoulder to avoid the oncoming Civic and
overcompensated by swerving left. He lost control and slammed head-on
into at least six motorcyclists, CHP officials said.
Bobadilla, whose wife was killed in the accident, was released when a
blood alcohol test showed he was not under the influence, said Officer
Pablo Torrez, a spokesman for the CHP in El Centro.
Four motorcycle riders were killed. Five others were airlifted or
taken by ambulance to UC San Diego Medical Center or El Centro
Regional Medical Center, according to the CHP.
The Civic was estimated to be traveling 90 to 100 mph when it tried to
pass the entire group of motorcycles, according to the CHP. The Civic
fled the scene after the accident.