CHP Releases Details On Fatal Winchester Crash

Murrieta CA

13 November, 2020

9:43 PM

Description

WINCHESTER, CA — A 54-year-old motorcyclist killed in a collision on Highway 79 in Winchesterwas swerving to avoid stopped traffic when he ran into a tractor-trailer, authorities said Friday. Kendal Hornback of Hemet was fatally injured about 1:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 26000 block of the highway, just north of Stetson Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officer Matt Napier told City News Service that Hornback was northbound on the 79 where it narrows to one lane in each direction, traveling at an unknown speed when motorists ahead of him abruptly applied their brakes. The big rig was coming from the opposite direction and unaffected by the northbound slowdown, according to Napier. He said the motorcyclist "failed to slow in time and swerved to the left" to avoid vehicles stopping in front of him. "He still struck the rear of a compact car," Napier said. "The motorcyclist then lost control and entered the southbound lane, where he collided with the wide load." Hornback was pronounced dead at the scene by Riverside County Fire Department paramedics 10 minutes later. The trucker was not injured, and the rig did not sustain any reportable damage. The CHP and Caltrans shut down both sides of the highway between Stetson and Caitlin Avenue for several hours while an investigation was conducted. An autopsy was pending on the victim to determine whether drugs or alcohol might have been factors in the collision, according to Napier. A GoFundMe page has been established in Hornback's name.