elgatoloco - 8-10-2004 at 03:56 PM
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20040810-1539...
ASSOCIATED PRESS
3:39 p.m. August 10, 2004
MEXICALI, Mexico ? Two U.S. tourists were killed when a water truck slammed into their dune buggy outside the Pacific resort city of San Felipe,
authorities said Tuesday.
David Bloom, from Peoria, Illinois, and Todd Smedley, 40, of Carlsbad, Calif., were killed during the crash, which occurred around 1 p.m. Sunday, on a
two-lane desert highway linking San Felipe and Mexicali, said Tonatiuh Beltran, a spokesman for local authorities.
Beltran and the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana said they could not verify Bloom's date-of-birth. Whether or not the pair owned or had rented the dune buggy
was also unclear.
The water truck's driver, Juan Cortez, survived the accident and told authorities he was headed to San Felipe, 112 miles south of Mexicali, the
capital of Baja California state, when the dune buggy pulled out in front of him from the side of the highway, Beltran said.
Police were not planning a criminal investigation into the cause of the crash.
The buggy, a light convertible vehicle powered by a transplanted Volkswagen engine, was crushed in the accident. Beltran said Smedley was killed
instantly, while Bloom died a short time later after being transported to a medical clinic in San Felipe by Red Cross personnel.
Liza Davis, a U.S. Consulate spokeswoman, said some of the victims' family members were already in San Felipe, while others were to arrive late
Tuesday. They planned to begin the process of repatriating the bodies for burial in the United States.
Mike Humfreville - 8-10-2004 at 04:18 PM
Sad, sad story.
Very tragic indeed.
jrbaja - 8-10-2004 at 04:50 PM
Let's all remember no matter how comfortable we may feel here, that things like this are bound to happen.
My heart goes out to the families.
Let's all practise being very careful, especially while off roading.
We should never let our guards down
Debra - 8-10-2004 at 09:30 PM
This last trip I was so comfortable I have gotten to know Mex 1 so well.....I know that when a semi is coming up a hill that their "Butt end" will be
in my lane....I slow wayyyyy down, I know that everyone cuts the corners (I don't freak anymore) I was enjoying the trip so much (although I never
take my eyes off the road) just before going over the mountains to El Rosario..from the south, I was coming up a small hill and sure enough there was
a semi in my lane (I tried out those anti-lock brakes for the first time) VERY CLOSE CALL! , I almost had to take the dirt! Of course that made the
rest of the trip to El. R. white knuckle!!!!!
Interesting that the the report said "Pacific Resort town of San Felipe" Does anyone teach geography in collage anymore (or grade-school for that
matter?)
I morn for the familys, what a tragic story.
Be safe out there everyone please...I saw a really bad accident just south of Mandero this trip, I though it was an inspection.....but, no...ugly
wreck. It never fails, on every trip there is at least one.
Bob H - 8-11-2004 at 08:34 AM
Many of us have seen really bad accidents while traveling all over Baja, and many of us have had really close calls (me included). Paying attention
100% of the time and slowing down or stopping completely for large passing trucks is a must!
I feel so sad for the family and friends of the dune buggy people that lost their lives in this tragic accident. How sad indeed.
Bob H
Anonymous - 8-11-2004 at 08:53 AM
Very Sad and very scary!
I agree with all of you. While in Mexico slow and easy is the only way to do anything, driving included.
bajaandy - 8-11-2004 at 09:54 AM
This is a tragic event. A couple of guys just out having fun and to end so sadly.
My sympathies to the victims families and friends.
JESSE - 8-11-2004 at 02:22 PM
Just another reason why we should be extra careful when driving here, Baja roads are dangerous if you dont know the culture, be safe.
Baja roads are dangerous
jrbaja - 8-11-2004 at 02:26 PM
whether you understand the culture or not !
Restaurant owner dies in accident
Anonymous - 8-13-2004 at 01:10 AM
http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/081204/new_20040812022.sht...
The owner of three Peoria restaurants has died in an accident in Mexico.
David Bloom, 28, of Peoria was killed Sunday in a dune buggy accident while on vacation in Baja, Calif.
Bloom operated Martinis, Johnny Vigs, and Dominic's restaurants.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannie, and his parents.
BajaGrrls - 8-13-2004 at 08:37 AM
This is really sad. I hope it serves as a reminder for all of us to be careful out there. Too often we take things for granted.
My prayers are with the families.