Jesus Cabrera, 27-Year-Old War Vet, Dies in Fiery Motorcycle Crash With Excavator During Closure of 10 Freeway
For reasons unknown, late Tuesday night, a 27-year-old motorcyclist entered a construction zone stretching two miles down the 10 West -- closed off via large neon "road closed" signs. After almost making it through the zone alive, the man plowed straight into the side of a Penhall Excavator, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Pasadena Star-News Construction on the 10 West
The victim was later identified as Jesus Cabrera of El Monte. His family and friends called him "Chuy" and "Charro" in various comment sections across the Net.
Cabrera's motorcycle reportedly exploded on impact just before midnight, bursting into flames and throwing the young man against the side of the giant tractor. He died from blunt force trauma to the head and body.
Caltrans had shut down the two-mile stretch in Baldwin Park earlier in the evening. CBS2 reports that California Highway Patrol officers pronounced the 27-year-old victim dead at the construction site, near the Puente Avenue exit.
According to the Pasadena Star-News:
The California Department of Transportation has been building carpool lanes along the 10 Freeway from the 605 Freeway to Puente Avenue since October 2009. Kelly Markham, a Caltrans spokeswoman, said the Baldwin Park portion of the multi-phase project is scheduled to be completed by late 2012.
A commenter named Just Me on the CBS article claimed Cabrera "served our country and had an amazing heart." To other commenters who were criticizing Cabrera for his recklessness, the person said:
"Stop stereotyping just because he owned a motorcycle. i can put money that Charro, RIP, had a bigger heart and I know for a fact that he wasn't as ignorant. He served our country for me, you, and everyone else on this post. Give him the respect he deserves, not because he owned a motorcycle but because he fought for us all. RIP Charro."
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