The Antelope Valley Times

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Lancaster man killed in motorcycle crash

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The fatal collision happened around 5:50 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, on Sierra Highway, just south of Avenue A. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
The fatal collision happened around 5:50 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, on Sierra Highway, just south of Avenue A. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

ROSAMOND – A 45-year-old Lancaster man died Sunday evening after he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown onto the roadway, authorities said.

Roderick McConnell was pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle collision, which occurred around 5:50 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, on Sierra Highway, just south of Avenue A, according to a California Highway Patrol report.

Roderick McConnell
Roderick McConnell (Twitter photo)

McConnell was riding a 2002 Suzuki RGSX southbound on Sierra Highway at approximately 35 to 40 miles per hour, the CHP report states.

“McConnell was driving on the right shoulder before he applied the brakes… and began to lose control of his vehicle,” the CHP report states. “[The motorcycle] then proceeded to fall onto its left side and McConnell was ejected onto the roadway, where he sustained fatal head and neck injuries.”

The 45-year-old was pronounced dead around 6:10 p.m. by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics, according to the CHP report.

Filed Under: Lancaster, Rosamond

67 comments for "Lancaster man killed in motorcycle crash"

  1. I can not believe this is real what will I tell our son? This is a shame I am devastated. Does anyone know where the funeral will be I want my son to be able to say goodbye for the last time. I am worried he may not even remember his dad this is so heart breaking.

    • Saturday 011715 services will be in ingealwood ca. The arrangements are also on his Facebook page

    • Hi I was told the funeral is this Saturday in Irvine. Dear Family and Friends Roderick McConnell funeral services will be held at Simpson Family Mortuary on Saturday January 17th at 10am. The Mortuary is located at 3443 West Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90305. Directly after the burial the family will join other family members and friends at the repast location. At The Mother Chapter 605 S. Long Beach Blvd. Compton, Calif. It you have any questions please do not hesitate to inbox me. Thank you for your love and support of Rod. This is the info…

    • Hey Sheree how are you? I would really like to speak with you. Please reply if you see this message.

        • Honestly if my brother has a son out there I would like to know as well as moms. This has been a very difficult 2 weeks for all of us but to think or know that Rod has a son out there that we couldn’t meet of come to know and love would only deepen our wound. Thank you for responding please email me at findingproof2015@gmail.com and we can chat.

  2. TO THE FAMILIES YOU HAVE OUR CONDOLENCES FOR YOUR LOVE ONE, OUR LOVE FOR 2WHEELS MAKE US SHARE THE HURT

  3. Rod was the best man I’ve ever known and I’m honored to say we love one another like husband and wife…I am grateful to have not seen the pic everyone speaks of…my heart is shattered…thankfully it was instant so he wasn’t in any pain…he is a beautiful man with wisdom far beyond his years and has a heart filled with compassion for all…that smile and laughbrightened my days and his strong arms and chest kept me warm at night…truly the love of my life…he’ll be missed every moment of every day…until our souls meet again…I love you Mr. McConnell

    • its a shame that you are delusional…you and rod were not even together when he passed so you need not to leave comments like that….you are a real crazy person I see

      • This stuff that your saying right here about Lisa being delusional etc is so far fetched and further from the truth… This statement that you made actually makes you the crazy delusional one! I an one of Lisa’s good friends and I can honestly tell you that YES Lisa and Rod were in fact together… I was there on several occasions when Rod was there and hugged her abd kissed her etc. Please stop harassing her and let her grieve through this horrible tragedy. And please get your facts straight before leaving such rude and hurtful comments about someone our something you obviously have no knowledge about. Thank you!

        • well if that is so then why did he leave her to be with one of his own kind. he told us she was crazy. he been had left her. all of his family know she was crazy and that’s the reason he left so you get your facts right plz

      • Oh Jamie…delusional?!! Prime example why we kept our business to ourselves…I didn’t understand why he was so private until now…thank you for showing me how cruel and ignorant some can be especially when he is no longer here to tell you himself…anyways…Babe I understand what you meant by protecting the things you value most…love you Rod…I’ll never question your reasons again

      • obviously you don’t have a good heart, to be posting things like that when you should just be quiet. If you were to know anything about Rod, you would know Lisa and him were in love. Yeah they weren’t together when he died, why the [removed] does that matter? The amazing man in those pictures is my uncle he lived me for 4 years. It breaks my heart to see how messed up people can be after a loved one died. Lisa is going through hell. And you have no right to be commenting things like that. So next time you decide to post mean things about my family, try and remember we are all going through a hard time, and we have feelings to. Thank you.

  4. MAN…….I’M NOT BELIEVIN’ THIS……”PROOF”??……A CLASS ACT…MY BROTHER. VERY LEGIT RIDER AS WELL….WAS’NT LIKE US……mmmmmmm.

  6. Mannnnnnnn I just looking @ this and my just keeps on wondering Y. ROD DAMMMMIT BUT GOD HAD BETTER PLANS FOR YOU..IM GONNA MISSSS MY BRO FOSHO !!!!! LOVE YOU MUCCCCH

  7. This is heartbreaking news. Ride In Peace Brother. We will miss you. You were such an intregal part of our life… so many LIFE lessons learned from you. So many dreams.. Your infectious smile, spirit and laugh. You will forever be in our heart. Until we meet again in Heaven.

  8. I did not know this young man, but my heart breaks whenever I hear of someone losing their life riding, may God give him an open road to ride freely from any harm and may he rest in peace. My condolences to the family.

  9. Im sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thought for the family and set family from the OC Rolling Divas.

  10. I have known Rod McConnell since we were 15 years old and he remained one of my best friends until the lord decided to call him home. Prayers go out to his loving mother Ms. Theresa McConnell who was extremely supportive in my time, me and my family will do the same in her time of need. And while we appreciate The Antelope Valley Times for your accurate and detailed information on what occurred to beloved brother. This photo of him laying on the ground only pissed me off and made me cry more. I will be sending an email to the editor regarding the immediate removal of this image.
    R.I.P Roderick McConnell 1.11.15

  11. We are so saddened by the loss of Rod. Prayers go out to his mom and family and friends. Hopefully his family can find some comfort in the fact that Rod had so many positive things going on in his life. He was such a kind & loving person. He will be greatly missed by all who are left behind, and who were lucky enough to have their lives enriched by knowing Rod. I dont find comfort knowing Rod died doing what he loved. Im sure he finds no comfort knowing riding took him from all his family and friends. <3

    PS. Dear Editor, please take down the photo. What a cold and callous thing to post. This does not need to be the final image loved ones remember of Rod. Very insensitive just for a news story.

  12. This is sad news. my condolences go out to his family and his set family.
    “Proof” I like that name. #RIP Proof
    Small World *110TTE Pasadena M.C.*

  14. Rest in peace you wonderful person you are do amazing and our family grew extremely close to you mommy misses you do very much , we all do , watch over your mommy send my mommy to let them know you love and care about them …. much love and condolences to your family I know they cared so much about you .

  16. Prayers for him and his family. I lost my only sibling and dear brother a little over a year ago as he was entering Avenue D. His accident was also featured on the AV Times. It’s so hard. I try to take comfort in the fact that he passed away doing what he loved. He knew the risk involved when he started riding, but it can be hard to rectify when a young child is left without their father. Now they become our Guardians. Guiding us through the remainder of our lives and our life lessons. I’m very sorry for this loss.

  18. R.I.P. PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY AND FRINEDS I JUST LOST MY SON (HIT AND RUN) JULY 2,2014 I FEEL THE PAIN,LOSING A LOVE ONE IS VERY PAINFUL,GOD GIVE YOU ALL STRENGH,PEACE

  19. I’m going to miss your silly laugh and your big smile. My heart is broken for his family. I’m still in shock. Xoxo

  20. Ride in paradise my brother..thank you for all the great pictures..it will be a good memories for us to remind us of you.thanks for all the kind words and advise..I will miss you around..

  21. My cousin was a professional rider and always taught or talked about biker safety awareness to all…however this happened we don’t understand, but he will always live in our hearts and in the life lessons that we admired through him…this is absolutely a shock and tragedy for all who knew him, most of all his mother Theresa McConnell…He was her everything! Let’s keep her in our prayers. Thank You on behalf of the family.

  23. I will miss my best friend,we were the 3 musketeers (Me,Rod,& Roosevelt)To His Mother ILove You

  25. Rest Easy Fam!! We had just spoken a few days before this,I still can’t believe it..we had some great convos bro.you will be missed

  27. This man was a true inspiration to many. He passed doing what he loved.Thank you for your friendship Rod. I love you. Till we meet again……

  28. Was someone calling his phone at time of accident.. or possibly a coyote ran in front of him… Iv seen this guy ride he knows how to ride his bike.. he is a man I knew for a while and hes a professional bike rider.. I know from my heart he just didn’t lose control like that.. there had to be interference with something… Rip my condolences are with you and family…

  30. My condolences to the family of this rider . If you are a rider and can use a car or truck on BAD weather days, PLEASE do so for your family sake. I am sure that the road conditions were a contributing factors on this man death. Another factor is rider experience just like new drivers in bad weather. Bad weather is NOT your friend, slow down and take it easy.

  31. He was a great man an a good friend smile would light up the day im going to miss u friend r.i.p an do me a favor keep my seat warm.

  32. R.I.P and prayers to the family, and yes please crop this picture or remove it… The family of this gentleman deserves that respect.. Again sorry for your loss…

  37. Why the [removed] would the post a picture of him on the ground yet find it alright just to blur his body. May you RIP my friend. You had a heart of gold.

  39. This is very sad…He was so young….wasn’t speeding…didn’t involve anyone else…. Love and much light to Roderick and his family.

  40. Why would you post a picture with his body out there like that? blurring it out DOES NOT make it any better. He was a good man a deserve MORE respect than what you are offering him.

    please crop the picture or remove it completely.

      • That’s messed up that you would post “What’s going to happen with the bike”. have you no decency!

      • What a complete inconsiderate [removed]! WHO cares about the bike!! A life was lost, someone lost their son, brother, husband, friend, etc. BTW, it’s LOSS and DOES.

        Rest in Peace and prayers going up for his family and friends!

      • Why the hell would you even ask that question?? What a horribly inconsiderate thing to ask. That ranks right up there with posting a picture of Rod at the accident scene. Im sure the last thing the family is thinking about is the bike. SMH

  41. You will forever be missed. My heart is deeply saddened by this sudden loss. The may talks we shared. I will forever love you my brother. May you ride freely till we meet up again.

    • He will be missed and I hope all. An learn from this don’t be trying to race in the just a day before he was talking about doing 125mph in the rain in the same area water and geese are not a friend to motorcycle on the highway