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News, Big Blue Bus, Police Department
Coroner Names Motorcyclist Killed In Pacific Palisades Bus Accident On Tuesday Morning
Posted Nov. 22, 2012, 1:29 am
Brenton Garen / Editor-in-Chief
Authorities have released the name of the motorcyclist killed Tuesday morning in an accident involving a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus on Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades.
Van Nuys 25-year-old Patrick Chilton Odell was the victim identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office on Wednesday.
According to witness reports, Odell was speeding in excess of 80 mph at about 10:30 a.m. on his 2008 Honda motorcycle when he collided with a Big Blue Bus that was legally turning left from a layover stop at Marquez onto the 16900 block of West Sunset Boulevard (just a few miles before the Pacific Coast Highway). The posted speed limit along that stretch is 35 mph.
The LAPD West Traffic Division are still investigating how a motorcyclist was killed in the accident.
Suja Lowenthal, Government and Community Relations Manager at Big Blue Bus, said no passengers were on board at the time.
“This is a very tragic situation,” she said. “Until we know more, we are unable to comment further. We are very concerned that a life was lost.”
Comments
Nov. 24, 2012, 11:14:39 am
Chloe said...
Thanks for that info Sheila. And agree, extremely traumatic for all. I wonder if there were any witnesses? At least the bus was empty. I'm not familiar with this area--is it just a tricky intersection, made way worse when speeding? I feel like buses are usually slow when getting out into an intersection to turn, so surprising the bus wouldn't have been seen with enough time to slow down before impact... So tragic!! Pat is a great guy and so many people are hurting over this huge loss.
Nov. 23, 2012, 4:17:09 am
stewart said...
because I can?
Nov. 24, 2012, 2:10:59 am
sheila thompson said...
While I am very saddened by this tragedy, I am a bus operater and want to clarify that turn is a legal turn. I can only imagine what BOTH parties involved, driver and motorcyclist were thinking as they were trying to avoid this tragedy. I pray with deepest sympathy for the family and friends of Patrick. And my heart goes out to the operator of the bus.
Nov. 22, 2012, 6:06:43 pm
chloe said...
Thank you, Pete. Because you're right, we don't have all the facts--there will be several investigations surrounding this, and for good reason, And regardless, there's a huge family hurting more than anything right now. Pat was an amazingly wonderful person and will be missed by so, so many, all over...
Nov. 22, 2012, 5:49:44 am
Kate said...
Frequently the Big Blue Bus pulls onto Sunset Blvd into oncoming traffic that has the green light. Even at 35 mph it is can be difficult for the Sunset Blvd. driver who has the right-of-way to stop because the bus pulls out in the middle of the green light and against the red light from the side street that the bus has just left. This has been an ongoing very dangerous practice by bus drivers.
Nov. 22, 2012, 6:33:40 am
Judge said...
25 year old speeding in excess of 80mph on Sunset. Idiot got what he deserved. I feel for the bus driver, passengers, witnesses and the people delayed by this fool.Take your speed to a race track like Willow Springs so when you crash there is medical helo to haul you to the ER and you don't endanger others with your assanine behavior.
Nov. 22, 2012, 7:52:26 am
stewart said...
Judge, no one deserves your assinine comments. At this site and others there are repeated remarks that there is not only a problem with that intersection and the buses u-turn made there but maybe even bus driver(s) who may not be operating safely with a disregard to the public safety. The vehicle code is very specific about when NOT to make a u-turn when other vehicles are approaching, even high speed motorcyclists. Despite your callous disregard for loss of life, there will certainly be a comprehensive report to follow. And when that report is completed we will assuredly see a change in that bus route that will assure every one that no bus driver will ever breach that intersection in the ways others have described it, including opinions from members of that community whom we have not heard from to date who know first hand what the dangers may be there.
Nov. 22, 2012, 8:59:14 am
MadMax said...
Uh, speed(along w/ a healthy dose of stupidity) kills., once again.
Nov. 22, 2012, 10:59:13 am
jeffdg said...
stewart ... how dare you critisize judge's comments when yours aren't any better. a bike doing eighty (80), that's 8-0, is not that easy to see and probably more difficult to react to then a car going 80. it's sad a life was lost, and that's always sad, but this guy had a death wish riding like that on sunset.
Nov. 22, 2012, 11:37:23 am
Mike said...
Jeffdg conveniently determined for the rest of us that the 25 year old rider had a death wish. I assume he feels the same about Navy seals, US Army Special Forces, MMA fighters, motocross racers and a multitude of other occupations. Do they all have death wishes Jeff? I'm sure your comment gave comfort to this young man's family and friends. You need to reflect before making ignorant observations
Nov. 22, 2012, 2:46:52 pm
Pete said...
You people are all such rubes! I suspect that the bike was actually going much slower and they are covering up for the bus driver to keep the city out of a lawsuit. Those bus drivers are awful at best. Maybe he was doing 80, maybe not but if you weren't there, you don't know. And Judge, someday you or a someone you love is going to suffer a tragedy, guaranteed. Remember your comment on that day yours or loved one's blood is spilled and suck it up, you human turd!