One crash. Two bikes. Two dead.
In a rare double tragedy, a man on a bicycle was struck by another man on a motorcycle near Jamul in East San Diego County.
Both died within minutes.
According to multiple sources, the victim on the bicycle was riding at the end of a group of road cyclists as they rode east on Otay Lakes Road near the Pio Pico RV Resort and Campground.
The motorcyclist was riding east with three other motorcycle riders when he somehow slammed into the other man on the narrow two-lane road around 9:30 am today.
They both received CPR at the scene, but were pronounced dead after ten minutes.
They were described only as men in their mid to late 30s.
There’s no word on what may have caused the crash.
This is at least the 3rd bicycling fatality in Southern California already this year, and the first that I’m aware of in San Diego County.
Update: The victim has been identified as 40-year old Chula Vista resident Julius Cunanan; he leaves behind his wife and two young sons, one just a month old.
A crowdfunding page has raised nearly $25,000 in two days, surpassing the $15,000 goal.
Update 2: The motorcyclist has been identified as 43-year-old Jonathan Michael Charbonnet, also from Chula Vista.
Still no word on why Charbonnet collided with Cunanan’s bicycle.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Julius Cunanan and Jonathan Michael Charbonnet, and all their loved ones.
Thanks to Phillip Young for the heads-up.
From the video on scene that motorcycle, Ducati crotch rocket I believe, was going very fast. The bicycle was shattered and the motor bikes handle bars were sheared off. The video report said mbike was in a small group.
Conjecture here. My experience with roads like this and those types of mbike groups is that they ride very fast. Many have gopro to record their fun. Hope the police review all video from the mbikes.
We lift up the family and friends of the victims in prayer.