Re: [CABOforum] Digest for caboforum@googlegroups.com - 4 updates in 2 topics

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Tony Molina

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Mar 21, 2026, 6:40:20 PM (11 days ago) Mar 21
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Thank you, Scott, for clearing up the mystery of why an experienced cyclist would have been riding on the wrong side of Crespi, but rather had been on 17 Mile Dr instead!
Anthony Molina

On Mar 21, 2026, at 2:26 PM, cabo...@googlegroups.com wrote:


Scott Mace <sc...@wiredmuse.com>: Mar 21 12:37PM -0700

Followup story in yesterday's Carmel Pine Cone:
 
Widow sues driver in cyclist's death
 
By Mary Schley
Carmel Pine Cone, March 20, 2026
 
https://carmelpinecone.com/260320PC.pdf
 
While no criminal charges have been filed against Pebble Beach resident
Dana Lauchlan since the California Highway Patrol identified her as the
driver who struck cyclist Seth Pollack on 17 Mile Drive late last year,
his window, Naomi Pollack, is suing her for wrongful death and negligence.
 
Her account of the crash matches that conveyed by a nearby surveillance
camera but contradicts the CHP's account, which blamed the bicyclist.
 
According to a report filed by CHP officer Jaskaran Bhaurla soon after
the incident, Pollack, 66, was cycling westbound on Crespi Lane as
Lauchlan was turning left onto the street from southbound 17 Mile Drive
and "for reasons still under investigation, the rider of the bicycle
crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the Toyota SUV."
 
But footage from a camera on a nearby home showed that's not what
happened. While grainy, it depicts the driver approaching Pollack on 17
Mile Drive and then turning left onto Crespi, directly into the
cyclist's path as he was riding straight ahead. The car strikes him, his
bicycle flies up in the air, and Pollack lands on top of Lauchlan's SUV.
 
'Violently ejected'
 
The highway patrol reported Pollack was declared dead at the scene and
that Lauchlan was transported to the hospital "for suspected possible
injuries." The officer also said alcohol was not believed to be a factor
in the crash.
 
In the wrongful death suit, which was filed by attorney Larry Beigel on
the widow's behalf, Lauchlan is described as driving a 2011 Toyota Venza
southbound on 17 Mile Drive while Pollack, "who was the beloved husband
of plaintiff, was operating a bicycle traveling northbound on 17 Mile
Drive."
 
"He was an experienced cyclist and had traveled this route on many
occasions," according to the complaint, which was filed in Monterey
County Superior Court Wednesday.
 
Lauchlan then turned left onto Crespi and "entered decedent's path in
such a sudden manner that she collided head-on with the decedent's
bicycle with the bumper of her vehicle."
 
The account that follows states he was "violently ejected from his
bicycle and sustained catastrophic blunt force trauma" after his "body
first struct the front windshield of the Toyota, shattering it, and was
then propelled upward into the air, subsequently crashing through the
glass moonroof of the Toyota before coming to rest in the back seat."
 
Medics pronounced Pollack dead at 9:33 a.m.
 
Damages sought
 
The complaint goes on to describe his background, accomplishments and
personal life in language reminiscent of an obituary before outlining
the damages his wife and family are suffering as a consequence of his
death, "including but not limited to loss of financial support, loss of
companionship, care, comfort and society, and other economic and
non-economic losses."
 
She alleges wrongful death, as Lauchlan had a duty "to operate her motor
vehicle with reasonable care and to keep a proper lookout for other
roadway users, including bicyclists," and negligence for her failure to
yield to oncoming traffic when she made the turn.
 
Pollack is seeking wrongful death damages, "including economic and
non-economic damages recoverable by a surviving spouse," the costs of
the suit and other relief.
 
The case has been assigned to Monterey County Superior Court Judge Julie
Culver, with a hearing set for July 21.
 
On 12/21/2025 6:37 AM, Serge Issakov wrote:
John Eldon <j.e...@sbcglobal.net>: Mar 21 07:45PM

Thank you. In 1976, a left cross into a driveway caused my one collision with a motor vehicle (double fracture of my left clavicle, concussion, overnight in UCLA hospital, "dueling scar" on left cheekbone, bent-back double-butted Reynolds 531 frame). Distraught motorist admitted fault, and her liability insurance paid up. Brava for Naomi Pollack pressing a civil suit. She deserves to win a big settlement. The CHP is full of *%*! on this one. 
John 
On Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 12:37:17 PM PDT, Scott Mace <sc...@wiredmuse.com> wrote:


Followup story in yesterday's Carmel Pine Cone:

Widow sues driver in cyclist's death

By Mary Schley
Carmel Pine Cone, March 20, 2026

https://carmelpinecone.com/260320PC.pdf

While no criminal charges have been filed against Pebble Beach resident Dana Lauchlan since the California Highway Patrol identified her as the driver who struck cyclist Seth Pollack on 17 Mile Drive late last year, his window, Naomi Pollack, is suing her for wrongful death and negligence.

Her account of the crash matches that conveyed by a nearby surveillance camera but contradicts the CHP's account, which blamed the bicyclist.

According to a report filed by CHP officer Jaskaran Bhaurla soon after the incident, Pollack, 66, was cycling westbound on Crespi Lane as Lauchlan was turning left onto the street from southbound 17 Mile Drive and "for reasons still under investigation, the rider of the bicycle crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the Toyota SUV."

But footage from a camera on a nearby home showed that's not what happened. While grainy, it depicts the driver approaching Pollack on 17 Mile Drive and then turning left onto Crespi, directly into the cyclist's path as he was riding straight ahead. The car strikes him, his bicycle flies up in the air, and Pollack lands on top of Lauchlan's SUV.

'Violently ejected'

The highway patrol reported Pollack was declared dead at the scene and that Lauchlan was transported to the hospital "for suspected possible injuries." The officer also said alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash.

In the wrongful death suit, which was filed by attorney Larry Beigel on the widow's behalf, Lauchlan is described as driving a 2011 Toyota Venza southbound on 17 Mile Drive while Pollack, "who was the beloved husband of plaintiff, was operating a bicycle traveling northbound on 17 Mile Drive."

"He was an experienced cyclist and had traveled this route on many occasions," according to the complaint, which was filed in Monterey County Superior Court Wednesday.

Lauchlan then turned left onto Crespi and "entered decedent's path in such a sudden manner that she collided head-on with the decedent's bicycle with the bumper of her vehicle."

The account that follows states he was "violently ejected from his bicycle and sustained catastrophic blunt force trauma" after his "body first struct the front windshield of the Toyota, shattering it, and was then propelled upward into the air, subsequently crashing through the glass moonroof of the Toyota before coming to rest in the back seat."

Medics pronounced Pollack dead at 9:33 a.m.

Damages sought

The complaint goes on to describe his background, accomplishments and personal life in language reminiscent of an obituary before outlining the damages his wife and family are suffering as a consequence of his death, "including but not limited to loss of financial support, loss of companionship, care, comfort and society, and other economic and non-economic losses."

She alleges wrongful death, as Lauchlan had a duty "to operate her motor vehicle with reasonable care and to keep a proper lookout for other roadway users, including bicyclists," and negligence for her failure to yield to oncoming traffic when she made the turn.

Pollack is seeking wrongful death damages, "including economic and non-economic damages recoverable by a surviving spouse," the costs of the suit and other relief.

The case has been assigned to Monterey County Superior Court Judge Julie Culver, with a hearing set for July 21.
On 12/21/2025 6:37 AM, Serge Issakov wrote:

A friend from my hometown of Monterey shared this tragic story with me, covered remarkably well in this week’s Carmel Pine Cone. 
https://carmelpinecone.com/251219PC.pdf
In short, CHP “investigation” somehow concluded cyclist Pollack was riding on the wrong side of the road. Security video from a home proved them wrong. It was a text book left cross. R.I.P. Seth Pollack. 
Serge


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Scott Mace <sc...@wiredmuse.com>: Mar 21 11:07AM -0700

https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/oakland-police-seize-dirt-bikes-and-atvs/
Jim Baross <jimb...@gmail.com>: Mar 21 12:15PM -0700

Out of class "bikes."
 
Jim Baross
CABO President
 
 
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