Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300832557 - Nelson Motorcycle Trng Center

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was a motorcycle training instructor. The employer leased classroom space at a local college and then provided hands-on motorcycle driving classes in the parking lot. The classes were usually on weekends. At the time of the accident, the students were practicing turns with the motorcycles. The school furnished the motorcycles which were usually 250 cc or less. First-time motorcycle riders were unfamiliar with the handling characteristics of the bikes they were riding. Employee #1 was standing several feet away from the path of the motorcycles. Students usually ride behind each other and drive around in oval circles. One of the students did not conduct the turn properly and headed straight for Employee #1. It is not known if the motorcycle made contact with Employee #1. Based on eyewitness accounts, some students stated that when the motorcycle came very close to hitting Employee #1, he outstretched his arms and grabbed the motorcycle handlebar to help the student gain control. Other students said it appeared that Employee #1 outstretched his arms to keep the motorcycle from hitting him. Employee #1 appears to have tripped on his own feet, turned and fell sideways, hitting his head on the pavement. Employee #1 died of his injuries.

Keywords: HEAD, TRIPPED, MOTORCYCLE