Solo Vespa Crash Throws Man From Elevated Highway In San Rafael
SAN RAFAEL (CBS SF) -- A Petaluma man traveling on a scooter northbound on U.S. Highway 101 in San Rafael suffered major injuries in a solo traffic collision when he lost control of the scooter, fell from an elevated roadway and struck a vehicle stopped in traffic below Wednesday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
At approximately 3:10 p.m. Timothy Bergman, 37, was riding a Vespa scooter on U.S. Highway 101 while entering the San Rafael viaduct traveling at about 60 mph, according to CHP Officer Eric Hohmeister.
KCBS' Jeffrey Schaub Reports:
Bergman lost control of his Vespa, which traveled into the center divider. The front of the scooter impacted the metal guardrail and the force of the collision ejected Bergman from the Vespa. Bergman fell through the open area between the elevated northbound and southbound portions of the viaduct. He landed on the roof of a Volkswagen Jetta that was stopped in traffic below the viaduct on Second Street, before he fell onto the roadway, according to Hohmeister.
Bergman, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, sustained major injuries, breaking his pelvis, femur, knee, wrist, ribs and scapula. He was transported by ambulance to Marin General Hospital.
At the time of the accident, Bergman was traveling with a small dog, which suffered fatal injuries, Hohmeister said.
The driver of the Volkswagen on which Bergman landed was not injured. CHP closed two lanes of Second Street the time of the accident until 4:30 p.m. during the investigation.
The cause of the accident remained under investigation, according to the CHP.
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