A friend mailed me this article from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
I would avoid GMR 'til this calms down.
Task force to crack down on mountain road racers
By Dian! a L. Roemer , Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- A task force of law enforcement agencies will crack down on illegal racing on Glendora Mountain Road, following a teen death on the highway in September and five other recent accidents, a county official said Wednesday.
Federal, county and city officials decided to leave open the curvy, 13-mile road while beefing up policing and surveillance.
That is the best approach to curtailing accidents and illegal activity, said Tony Bell, an aide to County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. U.S. Forest Service, county and city officials were in the meeting at his San Dimas office.
The road begins in Glendora and ends at East Fork Road in the Angeles National Forest and has more than 100 hairpin curves but no guardrails. It is a favorite of motorcyclists, car enthusiasts and bicyclists.
Bell said those who engage in illegal activity on Glendora Mountain Road will be subject to "all law enforcement techniques available.'
Bell would not define which techniques would be used, but said, "There will be a thick law enforcement presence on GMR immediately. CHP, the Sheriff's Department, Glendora police and the Forestry Service will step up police action on the road.'
Drivers breaking the law will have their cars impounded. People found breaking the law will be prosecuted, he said.
Antonovich organized the meeting in response to calls for the road's closure by the mother of 17-year-old Johnny Diaz of Azusa, who died on the road Sept. 21.
Five accidents have occurred since the road reopened in August after being closed for a year because of the 2002 Curve Fire, causing concern about the road's safety.
An accident Friday involving five teens whose truck drove over the edge heightened feelings among officials about taking action.
One teen involved in the accident, 15-year-old Jessie Mendoza of La Verne, said she and another girl riding in the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado wanted to turn around and go back to down the mountain just before the accident.
The driver, 16-year-old Andrew Neal, also of La Verne, was looking for a turnout when the truck lost its lights and plunged over the edge, rolling 300 feet to the canyon floor, she said.
"We didn't feel comfortable. GMR has no guardrails. Any little thing can happen, and you go off,' Mendoza said.
Mendoza said she only got a sprained ankle from the accident, but she will never go on the road again.
One girl remains hospitalized with a broken back, she said. All the other teens are recovering, she said.
for the time being.
I would avoid GMR 'til this calms down.
Task force to crack down on mountain road racers
By Dian! a L. Roemer , Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- A task force of law enforcement agencies will crack down on illegal racing on Glendora Mountain Road, following a teen death on the highway in September and five other recent accidents, a county official said Wednesday.
Federal, county and city officials decided to leave open the curvy, 13-mile road while beefing up policing and surveillance.
That is the best approach to curtailing accidents and illegal activity, said Tony Bell, an aide to County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. U.S. Forest Service, county and city officials were in the meeting at his San Dimas office.
The road begins in Glendora and ends at East Fork Road in the Angeles National Forest and has more than 100 hairpin curves but no guardrails. It is a favorite of motorcyclists, car enthusiasts and bicyclists.
Bell said those who engage in illegal activity on Glendora Mountain Road will be subject to "all law enforcement techniques available.'
Bell would not define which techniques would be used, but said, "There will be a thick law enforcement presence on GMR immediately. CHP, the Sheriff's Department, Glendora police and the Forestry Service will step up police action on the road.'
Drivers breaking the law will have their cars impounded. People found breaking the law will be prosecuted, he said.
Antonovich organized the meeting in response to calls for the road's closure by the mother of 17-year-old Johnny Diaz of Azusa, who died on the road Sept. 21.
Five accidents have occurred since the road reopened in August after being closed for a year because of the 2002 Curve Fire, causing concern about the road's safety.
An accident Friday involving five teens whose truck drove over the edge heightened feelings among officials about taking action.
One teen involved in the accident, 15-year-old Jessie Mendoza of La Verne, said she and another girl riding in the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado wanted to turn around and go back to down the mountain just before the accident.
The driver, 16-year-old Andrew Neal, also of La Verne, was looking for a turnout when the truck lost its lights and plunged over the edge, rolling 300 feet to the canyon floor, she said.
"We didn't feel comfortable. GMR has no guardrails. Any little thing can happen, and you go off,' Mendoza said.
Mendoza said she only got a sprained ankle from the accident, but she will never go on the road again.
One girl remains hospitalized with a broken back, she said. All the other teens are recovering, she said.
for the time being.
