Timothy Sonnenburg ID’d as Man Killed in Chico Motorcycle Accident at Forest Avenue and Springfield Drive
Chico, California (February 20, 2020) – The man who was killed Wednesday evening in a motorcycle accident in Chico has been identified as Timothy Sonnenburg, 66, of Chico.
The deadly accident happened at about 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19 at the intersection of Forest Avenue and Springfield Drive.
Witnesses told the police that an elderly woman was driving the wrong way in the southbound lane when her Nissan collided head-on with a motorcycle driven by Sonnenburg. The Nissan then collided with a white sedan and an SUV.
Sonnenburg suffered critical injuries and was transported to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The elderly woman stopped at the scene and cooperated with the authorities. Police said she may have a medical condition that caused the accident.
The two other drivers suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.
Police closed southbound traffic from Humboldt Road and Springfield Drive for nearly six hours during the investigation. Alcohol or drugs were not suspected to be factors in the accident.
The accident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call Chico Police at 530-897-4970.
What to Do at the Accident Scene after Crash
- Always remain at the scene, relax and don’t panic.
- Check if you, your passengers or any other party have injuries and then call an ambulance.
- Call the police to document the incident
- Take photos of the crash scene
- If involved in a minor crash, move the car to the side of the roadway and turn on its hazard lights
- Collect details regarding the accident from the witnesses
- Don’t sign any documents unless it is from the authorities
- Wait for the police to arrive before you can leave the accident scene
What to Do After Leaving the Accident Scene
- Contact your insurance company and inform them about the crash
- Collect a police report
- Keep records of your physical injuries and mental condition
- Get a property damage evaluation
- Before providing any statements to the other motorist or his or her insurance company, seek a personal injury attorney to advise you legally and protect your rights
“Far too many motorcycle collisions are caused by the carelessness or recklessness of other motorists. Sadly, when this occurs, motorcyclists are the ones who tend to suffer the vast majority of injuries”, according to Arin Khodaverdian, Managing Partner and CEO Alpine Law Group. Under California’s rule of comparative negligence, a victim may be able to collect compensation for injuries and other damages even if you were partly at fault for the accident.