Rocket Captain down in So. Cal.

bertb

.060 Over
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
105
Location
Palm Desert, CA
It's always tough to hear about a biker fatality, but when it's someone in our small community of R3 owners killed by a careless cager, it's all the harder. Does anyone here know this Captain?
RIP Steven

11/30/2009 - 14:23.
A man killed when he was thrown from his motorcycle on northbound State Route 79 in Banning was identified today as a Highland resident. 61-year-old Steven Hiltner was pronounced dead at a hospital following the crash south of Gilman Springs Road Wednesday. The CHP says Hiltner was riding a Triumph Rocket III when he was forced to swerve to avoid striking a Dodge Ram after the Dodge driver made an illegal U-turn directly in front of him. The Ram was driven by a 60-year-old man. Hiltner tried to avoid the Dodge, but struck its corner and was thrown from the motorcycle, which then hit a Ford Crown Victoria. No one else was injured. Charges are pending.
 
Sad to hear about this...sometimes when it's your time....it's your time and there is nothing you can do. Wish it were otherwise. A U-turn of all things.
RIP

Dennis

1-5 dtg Kandahar
7 dtg Dubai
8 dtg Home
 
Coroner's Report

Coroner's File Number: 2009-08757Sex of Deceased:MaleName of Deceased: STEVEN HILTNERAge of Deceased:61 Years City of Residence:HIGHLAND, CANext of Kin Notified (Y/N):YesAgency Investigating:CHP-SAN GORGONIO Investigation Number:LOG 1314Date of Death:11/25/2009 Time of Death:1717 HoursDate of Injury:11/25/2009 Time of Injury:1500 HoursLocation of Death:RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTERLocation of Injury:ROADWAY, NORTHBOUND SR 79, ¾ OF A MILE SOUTH OF GILMAN SPRINGS RD. SAN JACINTO, CAComments:HELMETED OPERATOR OF MOTORCYCLE THAT COLLIDED WITH FULL SIZE PICK-UP TRUCK.

I'm up in that area all the time. It's tough enough to watch out for GOOD drivers on those roads, but knuckleheads that pull illegal U-turns in front of us?

This is just terrible. My thoughts are with his family.
 
R.i.p.

This kind of thing is never good news to hear....

May he rest in peace, my thoughts go out to those left behind.
 
He will never be forgotten. . .

Steve Hiltner & I have been great friends for the last four years. We often rode with the Doug Douglas Triumph RAT group but more often then not, just the two of us would ride. Our 05 Rockets were almost identical except mine was the faster Red color. We toiled with Tune-Boy to try to eliminate the decel popping that we both hated. But we loved the sound when our Jardines were blaring side by side. He was the best friend and riding partner you could ever ask for! He will be seriously be missed! I know that he would appreciate all of the outpouring of love and compassion that you R3 Captains have shown as well as the donations in his memory. But I was the lucky one! I had the honor to know him, to ride with him and be his friend even though he was taken too soon. I wish that you all can find a friend like Steve. . .
Rest in Peace my friend,

Mike Volpone
 
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