Residents seek safety upgrades after fatal motorcycle crash on Lakeside road
Two people died on East Lakeview Road in September, prompting calls for better lighting and speed controls.
By Camila Herrera ·
San Diego County traffic officials are currently assessing East Lakeview Road to determine if additional safety improvements are required. This review follows a fatal motorcycle accident that killed two residents in the Lakeside area on September 28. A memorial now marks the specific stretch of the roadway where Crissy and Bobby Hodge died.
The crash renewed long-standing concerns among neighbors about the road's condition. For over two decades, friends and family members had noted issues with visibility and danger, particularly for riders. Kimberly Whitfield, Bobby Hodge's mother, described the ongoing emotional toll of the loss. She said, "There's lots and lots of tears, numbness, can't believe it, not my Bobby, not Bobby."
Patrick Sotier and Lidya Volden, who have known the Hodge couple for more than 20 years, pointed to specific physical hazards on the street. Sotier cited the lack of streetlights, missing reflectors, and trees growing close to the pavement as major risks. He noted that the trees are literally one foot from the road, leaving no room for error. Sotier called it a very dangerous corner, especially for a motorcycle.
Residents also report that speeding is a persistent problem on the road. The posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour, but drivers frequently exceed it. Volden suggested installing speed bumps, roadway reflectors, and a stop sign to force vehicles to slow down. In the interim, she has placed red reflectors along the road to increase visibility for oncoming traffic.
County officials confirmed that the 25-mile-per-hour signs are in place because the area is residential. They stated that their traffic team is reviewing the roadway to decide if further measures are necessary. Authorities also noted that it remains unknown whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. The county is currently awaiting the results of a toxicology report.
Volden expressed hope that local action will prevent other families from suffering similar losses. She said, "We need to do something about this because we've lost two precious lives, and we don't need to lose anymore." Both Crissy and Bobby have active GoFundMe campaigns set up to assist their families during this time.
