Teenage Boy Airlifted to Palomar Medical Center After Encinitas Crash

Mk March 15, 2013 at 09:54 pm

It is STILL there...just saw it on my way home

laurie michaels March 15, 2013 at 10:07 pm

If everyone of us call or e-mail our city council members and Rob Blough head of traffic in Encinitas, that should get their attention. They don't need to see this thread they need to hear from us!!!

kathryn harris March 16, 2013 at 12:32 am

Thank you for getting back to me, yes Michael and his family are in our prayers! We are all in this crazy life together and I really hope that he has a full recovery!

Abbi Lawrance March 16, 2013 at 02:04 pm

I have just contacted some city officials asking that something be done. Michael, you hang in there - you are in lots of people's prayers.

Abbi Lawrance March 16, 2013 at 02:46 pm

I just got this back from our mayor:
"We will ask the city staff to investigate and see what can be done. I don't know, without further research, what is legal or not. If the truck was legally parked, we should re-examine our rules to see if we should make it illegal. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lisa Shaffer Deputy Mayor City of Encinitas"

katmaus March 16, 2013 at 08:16 pm

My kids entire school has him in our prayers. The little bit about this boy in the hospital that we heard was that he is critical. Nearly every organ was damaged. Punctured lung, internal bleeding, new driver on the way to lacrosse game for the school. Very sad!! But he is still here and fighting. They should impound the stupid truck. Don't they clear cars after a wreak normally? After a police report? Is it allowed to park for weeks and months on a public street in the same spot, never moving it? Really? At least contact this guy and ask him to move it out of common curtousy.

Encinitas local March 17, 2013 at 12:52 am

I am sorry for the kid getting injured, but do you all realize that any vehicle parked there would have been hit. You are all putting this blame on this truck. The kid was driving like an idiot. Approximate speed was double the speed limit. who are you gonna blame if he hits a mother and her children walking on that same side walk. also, the kids car could've went over the side into the resident driveway. it's not the best place for the truck, but if you drive the posted 25mph there won't be an issue and don't over exagerate, I also drive a big work truck by that tow truck and never have an issue. the kid did a stupid thing and he is paying the price. thankfully he will live, but don't put the blame on the parked vehicle, blame the kid.

Family March 17, 2013 at 02:49 am

We don't know if he will live. He lost control trying to avoid the truck. He's not an idiot. This is not the first crash involving this tow truck. But thanks for your sympathy and concern, Local.
Family member

RATSJ March 17, 2013 at 03:03 am

I am not certain, but I believe it is illegal to have any vehicle parked on a city street in the same spot for more than 72 hours. If it is, it can be legally towed. I think the sheriff's department gives you fair warning before this happens by leaving a notice on your windshield.

Lee March 17, 2013 at 03:51 am

To the "Encinitas local"... The problem with the flat bed tow truck is that it acted like a guillotin..he went right into it.. Had it been a regular car or Suv Michael's injuries would not have been so great. I understand he was speeding , but have a little compassion. You must have never been a young kid who drove too fast a time or two. Maybe it's your tow truck?

Encinitas local March 17, 2013 at 04:37 am

He did not crash avoiding the truck!!! That is where you are mistaken. look at the skid marks. He lost control going around a curve at a great rate of speed, period and ended up hitting a parked vehicle. so don't take your anger out on the wrong person.

Encinitas local March 17, 2013 at 04:54 am

I have tons of compassion and I am very bummed to hear someone (a kid) got injured as I have a kid (girl) that just started driving which scares me more now. Not my truck, but am aware of who the owner is. Also, I am still a daredevil behind the wheel. The kid straight up is to blame for his actions. The end result is he is hurt. You can't honestly tell me with facts that if there was another vehicle there or no vehicle the outcome couldn't have been worse. You can say it, but you cannot prove it. I will say Mr. Lee. I don't think he should park there either, But that truck is not to blame for this unfortunate situation. fingers need to be pointed at one person and I hope that one person gets better soon.

Lee March 17, 2013 at 12:17 pm

I actually do know for a fact as i work in the emergency field and spoke to the rescuers about this situation. Yes it is the boys fault for speeding but had it been any other vehicle the results would have been different. Since u r friends of the owner of the vehicle i suggest u stop leaving your biased and hurtful opinion as it makes the rest of us Encinitas Locals look like inconsiderate @&$@@'%#^*.

kathryn harris March 17, 2013 at 04:09 pm

Just PRAY for him and his family!

kathryn harris March 17, 2013 at 10:44 pm

Do any of you have news on Michaels condition! Thank you..

AM March 18, 2013 at 12:18 am

Praying for Michael. I came upon the accident before emergency workers were there. I drive Westlake several times per day and have always felt that truck should NEVER be parked on a curved street. It was a tragic accident waiting to happen. Clearly driving into a flat bed is completely different from hitting a parked car. I will voice my concern with the mayor's office. I wish I has done it before.

Debi March 18, 2013 at 12:36 am

Let's say the truck wasn't there and instead he ended up going down the embankment into someone's house. What if the truck wasn't there and he hit someone on the sidewalk instead...I saw the sheriffs department measuring the Skidmarks this morning. I am sorry this young man is in the hospital but the accident is not the trucks fault.

Joe March March 18, 2013 at 02:51 am

OKAY - all of you guys must have seen it happen or work for the police department/hospital because you obviously know exactly what's going on, right?? do you think any of his family members are reading all of your hurtful statements right now? I'm sure that makes them feel good! Wonder how you'd feel if that happened to one of your loved ones.... how spiteful to infer that he somehow deserves whatever happened.

RATSJ March 18, 2013 at 02:58 am

It is very sad to read some of these heartless posts. Please, people, have a little bit of decency and compassion for a fellow human being. Wouldn't you want that for yourself?

Joe March March 18, 2013 at 03:10 am

Debi - if the truck wasn't there, he wouldn't have had to avoid it.... you seem like you have nothing to contribute but hateful comments... why bother?

Joe March March 18, 2013 at 03:13 am

Try to go as fast as you can on that road. How fast can you get up to? Do you think you can even get to double the speed? Secondly, how do you know he will live?? And you're on here making these totally insensitive comments. How can you call someone's kid an idiot? What if your daughter was in a similar situation, or in the car with someone who was driving and this happened to them?

Joe March March 18, 2013 at 04:02 am

At first I couldn't believe a couple people on here, but then I realized that bullies thrive on negative attention and when we reply to their garbage, they thrive on it. Guess it's better to ignore in the end. If that's the kind of person they are, who cares what they say.

MK March 18, 2013 at 02:51 pm

As a parent of a 17 year old boy that goes to the same school as Michael, my heart goes out to Michael and his family. As parents, we are all in this together and it could have been any one of us going through this right now. That is what happens when there are ACCIDENTS.....this forum should not be used to discuss or place blame..but to get the word out to pray for this boy and his family.

kathryn harris March 19, 2013 at 05:41 pm

Do any of you know how Michael is doing? I agree the most important thing is that the prayers keep coming!

Lucas Collier March 19, 2013 at 05:58 pm

I am a family member of Michaels and I'm not blaming any one. We as adults we are here to help guide and midi-gate dangers from our kids. We cant predict everything, but as the owner of the truck he had to have known that parking where he was, and on a route going to a school where young drivers drive to was a bad idea. It was a tow truck for crying out load. We cant change what happened last week but we can change is going to happen tomorrow. As far as putting all the blame on a kid, ask your self what u would have done different your self. Move the truck, problem solved.

kathryn harris March 19, 2013 at 06:46 pm

Lucas, how is Michael ? Too much about the truck on this thread! Hopefully with respect to the situation it will be moved permanently but my concern is Michaels condition, can you or someone shed some light ! I hope is getting better and stronger !!

Daniel Woolfolk (Editor) March 20, 2013 at 04:52 pm

Hi Lucas,
I hope he is doing better. A lot of readers are asking for updates on Michael. Is that something you can provide? If not, I completely understand. Thank you, Daniel

Josephine March 21, 2013 at 02:59 am

Daniel - his family would appreciate it if you would remove the hateful comments from Debi and Encinitas Local who seem to have nothing to contribute. I think his family would feel like the people who truly care for his well-being are aware of his condition and don't need more info out for people to shamelessly gossip about. For those who are concerned, prayers are still appreciated.

Daniel Woolfolk (Editor) March 21, 2013 at 03:07 am

Hi Josephine,
Thank you, I will let those asking know that there won't be a public update. I have reviewed the comments on this thread and they do not violate the terms of use.

Daniel Woolfolk (Editor) March 21, 2013 at 03:47 am

And I should add that, while the comments don't violate our terms of use, I can see them heading that way and will close this comments section.
I will also be away from my computer until Tuesday. If anyone has any questions, please email Hoa Quach at hoa.quach@patch.com.