LAKESIDE, CA — A fatal traffic collision was reported late Sunday night, January 25, on Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP logged the incident as a fatality at approximately 10:32 p.m. near 9594 Winter Gardens Boulevard, in the Lakeside, CA area.
Initial incident notes indicate the crash involved a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle. The roadway was impacted during the response and investigation, and the collision remains under investigation by CHP.
The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, January 25, on Winter Gardens Boulevard north of Lemon Crest Drive, CHP said.
Authorities said the motorcyclist was traveling southbound when a 31-year-old woman driving a Toyota Prius pulled eastbound from a private driveway onto Winter Gardens Boulevard.
According to CHP the collision occurred when the driver of a passenger vehicle was pulling out of a private driveway along Winter Gardens Boulevard near Innovation Charter School and Greek Chicken when the crash happened.
CHP said the driver made an illegal left turn from the driveway, and the motorcycle collided with the vehicle’s driver-side area. The impact ejected the rider onto the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
No further identifying information was publicly released in the initial CHP incident entry.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Monday evening, January 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the crash site.
The collision remains under investigation. Drugs/Alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to CHP.
This is not the first serious motorcycle crash documented on this same stretch of Winter Gardens Boulevard north of Lemon Crest Drive. In April 2024, CHP investigated a fatal collision in nearly the same area where a motorcyclist traveling southbound struck the rear of a Ford F-150 that had entered Winter Gardens Boulevard from a public driveway. The collision ended with both vehicles becoming engulfed in flames; the motorcyclist later died from his injuries.
Crashes like these highlight why drivers are expected to obey posted traffic control signs and turning restrictions, especially when entering or crossing a high-speed corridor from a driveway. Under California Vehicle Code § 21461(a), it’s unlawful to fail to obey regulatory signs or signals placed to enhance traffic safety. When signage prohibits a movement (like a restricted left turn) or requires a stop/yield, it’s meant to prevent exactly the type of high-impact side-collision scenario that can be fatal for motorcyclists. The safest practice is simple: exit driveways cautiously, obey lane/turn restrictions, and only enter traffic when the roadway is clearly safe—because motorcycles can close distance fast, and minor errors in judgment can become catastrophic within seconds.
Community members who have concerns about safety conditions on Winter Gardens Boulevard are encouraged to contact the County of San Diego Department of Public Works to share their observations and experiences. Reports from residents and road users can help inform traffic safety reviews and potential improvements. You can reach county staff through the Planning & Development Services division at [email protected], and ask that your input be forwarded to traffic engineering or road safety review teams.
Our condolences are with the family and friends affected by this tragedy, and with the community mourning the loss.
