Fontana, CA (June 26, 2024) – On the night of June 26, a tragic accident in Fontana claimed the lives of Ronald Clayton Steele and Richard Malabuyoc Flora.
Accident Details: An officer observed a motorcycle speeding southbound on Sierra Avenue. Public Information Officer Daniel Romero stated that the officer, recognizing the motorcycle’s excessive speed, attempted to call for an airship to track the vehicle. Unfortunately, the airship was unavailable, and the officer was unable to pursue it due to the motorcycle’s high speed. Later, the motorcycle entered the intersection of Sierra Avenue and Valley Boulevard, colliding with a Nissan Sentra traveling east on Valley Boulevard. Both the motorcyclist, identified as Richard Malabuyoc Flora, a 39-year-old resident of San Bernardino, and the driver of the Nissan Sentra, identified as Ronald Clayton Steele, a 46-year-old resident of Rancho Cucamonga, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that several aspects of this case warrant further examination. The motorcyclist’s excessive speed and subsequent collision suggest potential liability for reckless driving. Investigating whether the motorcyclist had a history of traffic violations or any evidence of impairment at the time of the accident would be crucial. The officer’s decision not to pursue the motorcycle due to its speed and the unavailability of the airship might also be scrutinized. Was the officer’s response appropriate, given the circumstances? This aspect might be relevant if the families of the victims consider actions against the police department for possible negligence. Examining the traffic signals and road conditions at the intersection of Sierra Avenue and Valley Boulevard could reveal if any external factors contributed to the collision. Faulty signals or poor road conditions could implicate the liability of the government entity in charge of maintaining road conditions. Depending on the results of the investigation, the families of Steele and Flora may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Any shared liability on behalf of Steele or Flora would not preclude the possibility of financial recovery by their families. However, it may implicate California’s comparative negligence laws.
My sincerest condolences are with the families and friends of Ronald Clayton Steele and Richard Malabuyoc Flora during this difficult time.
Source: Fontana Herald News