Lompoc Man Dies After Being Thrown Off Bike

The California Highway Patrol said 34- year-old Haden Farley was riding his Harley Davidson Wednesday afternoon, when he was thrown off his bike as he tried to pass a Volkswagen making a left turn. He was wearing a helmet.

Farly was taken to Cottage Hospital but succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

Gene Gatz, owner of Moto Loco in Santa Barbara said, “It’s devastating, that could have been prevented by either not following as close or the individual in the car being more aware of the motorcycle”

Gene Gatz says safety should always be on every biker’s mind, “Unfortunately everyone doesn’t have a heads up display in their cars that says watch out for motorcycles.”

He said it’s always devastating to hear about a collision.

“I don’t care if you’re on a dirt bike or a Harley, those guys wave to each other because when they’re passing each othe, they feel like they’re all out there on this battlefield of the streets.”

Gatz teaches safety at their shop, he said riders often forget the simple things, like dressing right, and getting their bikes checked even as motorcycle riding gets more popular.