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3 killed in Palmdale traffic crash

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A motorcycle carrying a passenger [right] struck the back of an SUV and then collided with another motorcycle [left], authorities said. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
A motorcycle carrying a passenger [right] struck the back of an SUV and then collided with another motorcycle [left], authorities said. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
PALMDALE – Two men and a woman were killed Wednesday night when the motorcycles they were on collided in Palmdale.

The crash, which also involved a Toyota SUV, happened around 10:17 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, on 10th Street West near the intersection of Avenue N-8, authorities said.

The three occupants of the Toyota SUV suffered no injuries, sheriff's officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
The three occupants of the Toyota SUV suffered no injuries, sheriff’s officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
The two men were riding motorcycles northbound on 10th Street West, and one of them was carrying a female passenger, according to Deputy Matthew Davis of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

Both motorcycles were behind a Toyota FJ Cruiser that was also northbound on 10th Street West, Davis added.

“One of the motorcyclists lost control and hit the SUV, and then after hitting the SUV, collided with the other motorcycle – putting both motorcycles in disarray,” Davis said.

“One motorcycle tumbled off to the side of the road… The other motorcycle [carrying the female passenger] slid a great distance,” Davis said.

Lancaster residents Zachary Elijah Swensen, 21, and London Chae Ortiz-Stodgell, 20, were pronounced dead at the scene, according to coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter. Both were on the same motorcycle, Winter said.

The other motorcyclist, 32-year-old Rosamond resident Michael James Cole, was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Winter said.

“All three occupants of the Toyota SUV suffered no injuries,” said Lieutenant Brian Dunn of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station. “Alcohol was not a factor with the driver of the Toyota SUV.”

The incident remains under investigation and no further information was available Thursday afternoon.

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UPDATE: Online fundraisers have been established to cover funeral expenses for the three crash victims. To support the online fundraiser for London and Zachary, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/veb4gard. For Michael Cole, visit https://www.gofundme.com/u9b5zhck.

 

Filed Under: Palmdale, Rosamond

25 comments for "3 killed in Palmdale traffic crash"

  1. Sad 3 people are gone because of an illegal u turn… of course the 3 in the vehicle lived… I’m sure this will all be blamed on the motorcyclists. ..No more laughs. No more worries… no more pain…goodbye and enjoy this new chapter in your lives….

    • There is nothing in the article about the driver in the SUV making an illegal U-turn, it is already tragic that 3 people died, do not try to place blame by throwing mud at the driver. To the family, I am so sorry for your loss.

      • Ana,

        Just because there is nothing in the article about said u-turn, I would still like to know the facts. Journalists are not infallible. If a reporter stated something that was not proven, they would be liable for slander. That’s what editors are for – to keep the journalists in check and to fact-check.

        Not throwing mud at anyone. Get that dirt off your shoulder.

        • It’s my understanding that there was a lady driving a blue car behind the lady in the Toyota SUV who also witnessed the incident because the motorcyclists almost clipped her vehicle too. In fact, I understand that they probably lost control when they almost clipped the car behind the Toyota SUV causing the one motorcycle to hit the back of the Toyota SUV. There was no illegal turning involved. In fact, had the lady in the Toyota SUV not been driving an SUV and had been driving a car, she and her passengers might have been hurt or killed too…all because two motorcyclists decided to speed, race, on 10th Street West at speeds approaching or surpassing 100mph without any lights on.
          I know the driver of the Toyota SUV.
          The facts are that one motorcycle hit the Toyota SUV causing the motorcycle to hit the other motorcycle. It’s as simple as that. RIP to the three who lost their lives.

          • Both motorcycles were NOT racing as a matter of fact so yes. Rest in peace to my amazing brother Zachary, my sister in law London and their bestate friend Mike.

          • I miss you so much Zachary no matter what you will always be my big brother ❤ London I miss you so much as well and you will always be my sister-in-law no matter what ❤ you will both forever be in my heart

      • My husband died and the cops did nothing about the driver that hit him and his passenger. The guy illegally turned on a red light and they didn’t care. They let my husband die on purpose. Even gave him a breathalyzer while dying in the road as they took the driver that killed him to the hospital to do a dui blood test.
        AV is disgusting!

    • Could you expound on this? I was into motos in my youth and realize the dangers of riding motorcycles in the city. So that the lost ones did not die in vain, could you let us know the circumstances of the accident as you know it? I can see by the outpouring of grief and fond memories that these people were loved, and that they belonged to a motorcycle club that most likely advocated defensive motorcycle driving.

      Upon reading the story here, I admit that I thought the youngsters must have been at fault – perhaps a young man trying to impress his female rider and the bike got away from him…. But headlines or bait click aside, I’d like to hear the details.

      Thanks for sharing SI.

      • That’s right. We’re all about safety whether that’s not letting a member ride with us cause they’re not riding with the proper gear or taking the keys away from someone who’s had a bad day. I don’t believe that one of them just “lost control” but hey like he said Idk the details I wasn’t there. All I know is three of my family members are gone and if it was for another reason other than what’s stated above then someone needs to step up and take responsibility. If not then it is what it is we’ll just never know.

    • It’s my understanding that there was a lady driving a blue car behind the lady in the Toyota SUV who also witnessed the incident because the motorcyclists almost clipped her vehicle too. In fact, I understand that they probably lost control when they almost clipped the car behind the Toyota SUV causing the one motorcycle to hit the back of the Toyota SUV. There was no illegal turning involved. In fact, had the lady in the Toyota SUV not been driving an SUV and had been driving a car, she and her passengers might have been hurt or killed too…all because two motorcyclists decided to speed, race, on 10th Street West at speeds approaching or surpassing 100mph without any lights on.
      I know the driver of the Toyota SUV.
      The facts are that one motorcycle hit the Toyota SUV causing the motorcycle to hit the other motorcycle. It’s as simple as that. RIP to the three who lost their lives.

  5. London you will greatly missed you were so young and beautiful , a great Mother to your 3 year old son. So much of life ahead and taken way to young .All of us will miss your Loving smile . All of us shall miss you the , Daughter, Sister ,Niece and Granddaughter .we have watched you blossom in to a wonderful young woman. In our harts for ever . Love you London.

  8. RIP TO YOU THREE ЯR..I DIDNT KNOW THEM BUT TO SEE A FELLOW BIKER GO DOWN IT MAKES US THINK ABOUT BEING MORE CAREFUL SINCE WE ARE ALREADY AT RISK

  11. RIP my great friend…. You were a brother to me not just a friend
    I’ll miss you so much and you’ll FOREVER BE IN MY HEART
    I’ll miss your smart a$$ remarks the most
    Until we see each other again
    RIP mike……..

  12. OMG I saw that I’m still in shock and can’t get the images of my head tears still dropping since then May God lift their souls RIP ANGELS !!

      • No Erick I didn’t see how it happened I was passing by there approximately 5-7 minutes after I called 911 some people was already helping I broke into tears and I was in do much shock seen them laying on the grind that to be honest I don’t even remember how I got the strength to dial 911 even the dispatch was trying to calm me down since I was crying so hard I’m still very sad about that accident RIP 3 angels ❤️❤️