Seth Pollack left cross fatality in Pebble Beach

Serge Issakov

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Dec 21, 2025, 9:37:40 AM12/21/25

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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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John Eldon

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Dec 21, 2025, 4:00:47 PM12/21/25

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My one "encounter of the wrong kind" with a motor vehicle occurred 49 years ago and was a classic "I didn't see him" left cross to enter a driveway. I am sick of the segregationists' dismissal of my safety concerns related to this type of collision. Pollack may have veered left at the last minute, simply to avoid the collision. Ironically, if he had been guilty of riding on the wrong side of the road, he might have avoided this particular collision, so I have no idea where the CHP is coming from, other than to try to hang blame on him instead of where it belongs.

John E.

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Scott Mace

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Mar 21, 2026, 3:37:16 PM (11 days ago) Mar 21

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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.

John Eldon

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Mar 21, 2026, 3:47:09 PM (11 days ago) Mar 21

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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

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Leo Jed

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Mar 21, 2026, 7:01:42 PM (11 days ago) Mar 21

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Here come the stories ......

Similarly, my one encounter with a motor vehicle was a left cross by a panel van, on soquel drive near Dominican hospital in Santa Cruz.

Leo

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John Eldon

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Mar 21, 2026, 7:09:46 PM (11 days ago) Mar 21

to Leo Jed, Cabo Forum, Scott Mace

Sad there are so many such stories ... . I have made a few changes since, including a far better helmet, bright yellow cycling jacket, dayime running lights front and rear, and positioning myself farther from the line of parked cars or curb. Visibility is the game. NOTE: I am not victim-blaming anyone, just trying to learn what I can from my own mishap.

John

William Sellin

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Mar 24, 2026, 3:36:36 AM (9 days ago) Mar 24

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Yep - me too - minor left cross while I was in a side path - slow & no injury or damage to my bicycle, but my brake handle scratched their hood - the wrote me asking for bodywork damages - I declined & suggested they talk to law & legal experts to better understand the responsibility of turning across my path of travel - never heard back.

I also have a front facing flashing light in daytime and choose visible colors and am alert to the left cross hazard, which is not always avoidable when motorists fail to signal and speed.

William Sellin (Bill)

Area Liaison to Caltrans District 12

wase...@gmail.com

714 943-3678