Thread: Retired Officer killed in motorcycle crash | Retired Sgt. Robert Gregorio

So sad.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metr ... fatal.html

Retired officer killed in motorcycle crash

By Debbi Farr Baker
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM

10:52 a.m. December 22, 2006

SAN DIEGO – The motorcyclist killed in a crash that began with a brief Border Patrol pursuit on an East County rural road has been identified as retired San Diego police Sgt. Robert Gregorio, 63, of Santee, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office said Friday morning.

Gregorio was traveling northbound on Otay Lakes Road about 11:30 a.m. Thursday and was just past state Route 94 when a motorist heading the other direction at a high speed failed to negotiate the turn, said California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Pennings.

The 2001 Ford Taurus being driven by an 18-year-man skidded sideways into the northbound lanes, and although Gregorio braked he was unable to avoid the Taurus, and crashed into the side of the car.

He was thrown from his bike, a 2006 special law enforcement edition Harley Davidson Road King, and killed, Pennings said.

Pennings said Gregorio was wearing all the required safety equipment.

The incident began a bit earlier that morning when a Border Patrol agent received a tip of illegal immigrant activity in the area, said Border Patrol spokesman Michael Bermudez.

Otay Lakes Road, a windy two-lane rural road between Chula Vista and Jamul, is a known route for illegal immigrant smuggling.

The agent saw a car parked along the side of the roadway and went to investigate, but by the time the agent arrived, the car had been driven off.

The agent came upon the Taurus a short distance away and tried to pull it over, but gave up the chase seconds later because of road conditions, Bermudez said.

The agent saw a cloud of dust around the curve moments later and realized an accident had occurred.

The driver of the car, who suffered moderate injuries and was alone, had no identification on him other than a Mexican student identification card, Pennings said. He gave officers a Los Angeles address.

He was taken to a hospital where he was kept overnight and was placed under arrest on suspicion of manslaughter, Pennings said.

Pennings said the man's immigration status has not yet been determined.

The road was closed in both directions between state Route 94 and Wueste Road for two hours as officers investigated the crash and crews cleaned up the wreckage.

Moving to Americans Killed by Illegals forum.