27-year-old Rachel Anne Morrison, a marine biology Ph.D. student from Encinitas was killed Friday night in a hit-and-run in Del Mar.
Rachel Anne Morrison and a friend were walking eastbound in a crosswalk at the intersection of Camino Del Mar and Coast Boulevard about 10:15 p.m. Friday when Christopher Stockmeyer, 41, allegedly ran a stop sign and struck her at a high rate of speed, according to sheriff's officials and the county Medical Examiner's Office.The suspect was arrested at his home later that night for DUI and hit-and-run after his car was identified by something left at the scene (license plate?).
According to public data and social media, the suspect is an architect and father of two young boys who lives in the Bird Rock neighborhood of La Jolla.
A ride home to Bird Rock from Del Mar would cost about $35 on Uber.
Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteExtremely sad and I appreciate you helping educate the public about the tragedies caused by DUI.
I agree….. if your going to drink, use Uber to get home….
Which bar served I wonder.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it reported whether he was northbound or southbound, but if he was heading home, he'd be southbound coming into Del Mar.
Delete... anybody know of some vibrant establishments north of Del Mar on 101?
The Tidewater... A haven for the enibriated lush.
DeleteMs. Morrison was hit in the crosswalk on the southbound side of the intersection. The driver was driving south on Camino Del Mar when he ran the stop sign and hit the victim.
DeleteThanks for the confirmation on southbound.
DeleteBut there is no marked crosswalk on the southbound side. I guessed she was walking in the marked crosswalk on the northbound side and she was thrown by the impact to the southbound side.
Google Earth
Actually, there is in fact no "marked crosswalk" on the south side. This tragedy occurred on the north side of the intersection representing Camino Del Mar, Coast Blvd and 22nd Street--a four way stop. So, there is a crosswalk that goes east to west--or in the case of Ms. Morrison (who was walking to a friend's home from "Jake's") west to east. Ms. Morrison had entered the western edge of the crosswalk to cross Camino Del Mar, going east. As she entered the crosswalk area, the driver's vehicle was headed southbound on Camino Del Mar. There is a stop sign requiring vehicles to stop before the marked crosswalk area. The driver's vehicle made no attempt to stop and proceeded directly through the crosswalk area, and in so doing, struck Ms. Morrison at a high rate of speed. That is what happened. She was in an indisputably marked crosswalk area.
DeleteUnion... Where 50-year-old think they are 20 after they drink too many shots
ReplyDeleteExtremely sad. The bottom line as stated in the lead "Take a Cab Home". Sadly, in our car-centric world, this is not option #1. To ask which establishment isn't irrelevant, but it could be one of 100 places, from a restaurant to a party etc..
ReplyDeleteDrinking and driving is a national issue, as well as a local one. Your profession, family situation, all irrelevant once you turn that key after 4 drinks..
-Mr Green Jeans
This is tragic- it has to do with selfish, irresponsible behavior - not living in a 'car centric world'
Deletemust eveything be spun to fit a political ideology?
Your a mouth piece paid for by my tax dollars.
DeleteI can't wait until they eliminate your position and give the money to needed projects.
PS- Fire Vina.
It is too easy to see this as "selfish", "irresponsible" etc. I suspect the truth is much deeper. The driver is a highly educated, well employed man with a family. He is not some high rolling ego-maniac. He is probably more of an "everyman" average guy. A guy that, if asked before this event, sober, what he would think of someone doing what he did, and he would say "no way, selfish, etc.". In short, he was not thinking with the clear head that all of us, sitting sober in front of our computers, are now doing as we sit in judgment. He did not enjoy the luxury of rational thought in his drunken choices. That is not to excuse in any way his behavior, only to say that beneath the surface, there is far more to this story. The guy is apparently going through a recently filed divorce (2nd filing in a year) suggesting a marriage that has been in the process of disintegrating. Again, no excuse, but it shows things were going on in this man's life that perhaps led to his seeking more refuge in the mind numbing effects of alcohol. In addition, the driver has a very young son that has been struggling with a life threatening cancer--a very stressful situation. I am not defending in any way this man's terrible choices, but I am saying that there is far more to the story. I would say that if anyone is really interested in truly understanding this terrible tragedy, in the hopes of learning from it, the answers lie in our society's embrace of alcohol, this legal drug that is made available to any idiot, any psycho, any mentally ill person. and even any stressed out person who is in going through a difficult time in his or her life. Alcohol does not "look" dangerous. Our society even puts it on a pedestal of sorts with hip bars, sexy advertisements, and all the rest of it. And yet, more problems come from alcohol, on a weekly basis than just about anything else. Today is Friday, and tonight, the pattern will no doubt re-occur. Someone is going to get into a heap of trouble tonight, or even lose his or her life. It is easy to sit here with the luxury of sober, rational thought and say "don't drink and drive" but reality is that in the moment, when sobriety is lost and other factors affecting a person's life set in, self destructive behavior takes over and too often leads to explosions of the sort that has led to this blog posting. Alcohol causes more problems than it solves, by a long shot, to the point where one has to ask--why is it even legal?
DeleteAlcohol is also a main contributor to poor health. People who drink will more than likely have major health problems later in life (or sooner as the case may be). You might want to think about this the next time you pick up a glass of beer or a glass of wine to put to your lips. Will your drinking friends be there to help you --- I think NOT.
Deletehttp://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/DUI-Hit-and-Run-Del-Mar-Rachel-Morrison-Killed-253044311.html
ReplyDeleteTragic.
ReplyDeleteVery sad. Drinking and driving don't mix. Especially at traditional intersections.
ReplyDeleteAnd at nontraditional intersections too. A drunk killed himself by running into a utility pole at the Santa Fe roundabout.after failing to negotiate it properly.
ReplyDeleteNo, he drove through the roundabout and into an empty lot hitting a utility pole. The roundabout had nothing to do with his death.
DeleteCorrect, alcohol and bad judgment. Trying to bring anything else into is wrong...
DeleteThe roundabout definitely contributed to the accident. The driver was going east and failed to come out of the roundabout in control and then ran into the utility pole. With no roundabout the driver would have probably driven straight through and maybe even made it home.
DeleteSober drivers have trouble at this roundabout. Witness all the tire marks on the rolled center curb and the regular curbs of the entrance and exit lanes. Several cars have crashed into the fence at the northwest side of the circle.
There's a good argument. Let's keep the street straight for drunks.
DeleteSober drivers have trouble with the roundabout because they go through it at a higher speed than posted. Slow down and you will make it through just fine.
DeleteThe dead fire fighter, closed the bar after heavy drinking. Went 70+ mph up Sante Fe barely missed the center of the roundabout and hit a pole that crushed his skull. He was wasted and lucky some innocent bystander didn't get slaughtered by his reckless drinking bing.
DeleteRegardless, Drunks kill people…..
Roundabouts save lives. Its a fact.
That is unless your part of the Hater Club were the mission is to keep Leucadia Crappy and bring Encinitas down to resemble Oxnard.
7:39- your reasoning is so flawed it's laughable. How disrespectful.
DeleteSo sad. Another innocent life snubbed out by a drunk driver. Drinking, texting, cell phones are dangerous while driving. Please people, wake up.
ReplyDeleteSincere condolences to Rachel's family and friends. This is a tragedy to the driver and his family as well.
ReplyDelete❤~♡~☮~♡~❤
the roundabout saved some innocent bystander from being slaughter by a DUI driver. Thank God it was only the one. XXOOXXX
Delete12:39, True. And on 101 north of Ponto where the young skateboarder was killed by a hit and run DUI on just a portion of hwy at night only a few weeks back. But most pedestrian deaths are at traditional intersections. Not one pedestrian died because of any roundabout in the U.S. last year.
ReplyDeleteCut the bullshit, Fred. Goddamn roundabouts are not the solution to every traffic problem.
DeleteNot saying they are, 3:34. Its still wiser to install the best safety infrastructure wherever anyone can. Traditional stop signs and lights for intersections are by far more BS. How many bad examples do you need?
Delete3:34-
DeleteWake up and look at statistics roundabout save live and are more efficient.
Maybe you have a disability, but for 98% of Americans its a better choice for intersection control….
You cut the BS and educate yourself so your not so ignorant.
And I'm no one to throw stones because I have answered my phone while driving a few times, but I did see a city person in convertible making a left turn at Encinitas Blvd / 101 today chatting on a phone. Just a note for everyone to be more conscious about that including myself.
ReplyDeleteEveryone experiences tragedy in this situation.
ReplyDelete4:08-I couldn't have said it better myself. So sad for all involved. No politics or opinions on anything else needed, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteThank you L101 Mainstreet association for the hugely successful Taste of Leucadia. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteDo you have ADD? You want Leucadia Blog for such trite additions.
DeleteNo respect.
RIP Rachel.
ReplyDeleteI really hope they address the DUI situation and the totally unsafe road conditions along Hwy101.
I support putting up a white pedestrian ghost to honor the fallen victim. Just like all the dead bicyclists along the route.
I support putting one in front of the pannikan.
ReplyDeletePeople fly by there going 50 mph. Someone will be killed. Maybe they should prohibit people from walking on the street until the conditions get safer.
its safer for 50 MPH cars, but totally unsafe for bikes an pedestrians. I guess more people will die.
Some poor kid did die there. I sure hope the City addresses reducing the speed conditions through road reconstruction conditions anyway.
DeleteIf there was something besides an all way stop, things may have been different.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Roundabout save lives.
DeleteHaters don't care about pedestrians only about keeping crappy unsafe conditions.
RIP young lady and may the haters learn to learn from unsafe conditions.
Crappy Pappy, cut it out with your haters jive. You know it is you who has been hateful to me and anyone who has different opinions than your selfish interests.
DeleteWC's post is about an accident that happened due to drunk driving. No one has said it's unsafe driving conditions in Del Mar, on PCH, where the accident happened. No one has shown that the road had anything to do with the accident. We cannot have roundabouts at every intersection. Del Mar voted roundabouts down. You are the hater, Crappy Pappy, by bringing up roundabouts at every possible opportunity, and calling others haters, when what we are trying to do, here, is give condolences, not get into another circular roundabout argument. Please give it a REST!
Well good morning Sunshine!!!
DeleteAre you going out for a good long walk today???
9:44
ReplyDelete"People fly by (the Pannikin) going 50 mph. Someone will be killed."
People were killed there a few years back attempting to make a left to go north onto 101. The southbound pickup truck on 101 was going 85mph I was told. I forget how many people were killed in the car, but at least two.
10:34
Del Martians don't want roundabouts and want to keep their 10 all way stops.
Automobiles have only been around a little over a hundred years. In downtown San Francisco in 1906 for example, there were no stop signs, no crosswalks, no lines on paved roads to designate where cars should be or when they should yield. It was a free for all at your own risk. With faster cars it quickly proved to be even more chaotic and dangerous. Improvements in traffic laws began. Enter the 4 way stop intersection. But with the increased velocity of vehicles, signaled 4way intersections would morph into one of the worst innovations of the 20th century. It's high time for a change and I'm glad we're finally seeing it.
Below, check out the first 35mm movie ever filmed to get an authentic slice of life from SF in April, 1906. A movie camera was mounted on the front of a trolley car and they just let it roll for about 12 minutes of live action through their busy city (only a few days before the big earthquake btw). I think this film is special because there are no actors, no script, no props and no wrong period elements whatsoever to worry about in the scenery. It's 100% then. (You know, except for color, sound, scent, temperature, pressure and a 3rd dimension. But software may fix those shortcomings sooner than we think).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz4AmeSApBE
For God's sake, Fred, can you give it a rest? That accident on 101, was caused by someone speeding, and someone turning out onto the highway being hit by the speeder. Since then the speed limit has been lowered. That accident had nothing to do with pedestrians. Do we have to go over ever incident you have in your head, again? Can we just give condolences to Rachel and her family, and the driver's family?
DeleteI saw in one city that the lines marking the pedestrian crossing were progressive flashers - lights imbedded into the street. Upon hitting the crossing button, these would rapidly light in a successive sweep pattern, designating occupancy in the pedestrian lane. On dark streets, these are life savers.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I St.and Second St. needs traffic calming - - a 4 way stop, as it is packed with street crossers on the weekends. I've seen several close calls here. Letters to the city have gone unanswered on this hazard.
Solana Beach and Del Mar have those.
DeleteBut Encinitas is broke. Our council wasted all our money on bloated staff, pensions, a giant sports park, and an abandoned school.
the lighted crosswalks don't really increase safety for a person, but the roundabouts do.
Deletethe roundabout saved someone from the drunk fire fighter a few years back at 2am flying down Santa Fe after closing the bars…..
Looks like the Santa Fe roundabout stopped a drunk last year, too.
DeleteRoundabouts make great drunk catchers!
Oh my gosh, we don't need roundabouts for pedestrians at three-way t intersections with no cross streets, and no RR crossings. Pedestrians are NOT crossing the highway where the Directors of L101MA want to force one lane roundabouts on us!
DeleteMaybe we do at dangerous intersections. Carlsbad is currently building a roundabout at a three-way intersection at State Street and PCH. It already looks awesome and will be a tremendous improvement when completed.
DeleteI know the Haters hate it. Care to comment Hater?
You are being hateful by labeling everyone who disagrees with you about roundabouts as haters, Crappy Pappy. You are so obvious.
DeleteIn Carlsbad, that will not be a three way T intersection with no cross streets, and with the amount of businesses and homes west of 101 that we have, here, through Leucadia. Plus the Carlsbad roundabout will have the option for bicyclists to use a bike/ped lane in the RR right of way, in the Rail Trail Corridor, unlike the four one lane T intersection roundabouts you are boosting, here.
I'm not going to discuss roundabouts and their flaws, as obstructions on Historic State Highway 101, through Leucadia, leading to more cut through traffic and slower emergency response times any longer, on this thread. Not here, Crappy Pappy, hater baiter.
You love to twist how you have been characterized, as a hater, back onto anyone who doesn't support your self-interested agenda, whereby you would profit at the expense of locals, both residents and commuters.
Yes, besides being Crappy Pappy, you're morphing into Hater Baiter.
Implement streetscape now!
ReplyDeleteThat road is designed as a 70mph freeway!!!
You are obsessed with roundabouts.
DeleteRest in peace, Rachel.
"I" am obsessed with roundabouts? !
DeleteThat's the funniest thing I have heard all week.
You are so fun to watch.... Its better them Monty Python...
Yes, you are, as in your statement, in a condolence "column" on this blog: "Implement Streetscape Now!" That is obviously referring to your obsession with roundabouts, 2:31.
DeleteNo, it's an obsession to having a nicer 101 than exists now. We know your position, blah blah blah, facts are the crap lovers love crap. Enjoy your love.
DeleteLynn,
DeleteIts so funny to listen to the way your mind works…..
because I want the streetscape, you say I'm obsessed with roundabouts. That is classic. Did you graduate school? I know "CA public education system graduate" right?
While roundabouts are effective intersection control, the streetscape offers so much more that would both improve quality of life for all Encinitas and the financial well being of residents, businesses and the City. For logical people there is really not anything to dislike about it.
For Haters that love to keep it crappy and sleep thru half the day while others work to pay taxes for the other slackers….. well lets just say they love to Hate….. sound familiar?
Later Hater,
anon
Later, Crappy Pappy. You are, indeed, a hater.
DeletePerfect response from you….
DeleteHaaaa Haaaa Haaaa haaaa..
you are the best!
Run Lynn run… we are all behind you.
Always want the last word, don't you RSPB, oh, I mean Crappy Pappy. You are behind me, in telling the truth, in caring about the community as a whole, rather than your own narrow minded selfish interests.
DeleteYou don't scare me, Crappy Pappy. I feel sorry for you, poor pathetic man, so bitter, so angry, so unbalanced. You have become the delusional character you have created to spurt out your fecal exclamations and poop proclamations.
Get ready to see more senseless tragedies like this one with the increase in the number of downtown bars and the extension of bar hours. The word is out that Encinitas is a bar town! Irresponsible drinkers from surrounding areas will congregate in Encinitas to get wasted and will endanger others on their drive home.
ReplyDeleteCare to reconsider the DAO, council?
As I remember, Gaspar and Muir (not sure about Krantz) voted down the DAO. If it were one of their children killed by a drunk driver, their vote would not be in favor of their bar friends. RIP in Rachel.
DeleteOne thing has never changed and that is drinking + late nights + speed = fatalities. There were several fatalities in Cardiff in the 80's when you could still go 70 through restaurant row before Encinitas incorporated.
ReplyDeleteThe flashing sidewalks are a good addition, as are roundabouts to general safety, because they slow people down. But there is no substitute for getting people out of their cars when they've been drinking.
-Mr Green Jeans
Any death due to DUI is a tragedy. But some on this board suggest that the problem will grow and kill more if we do not increase regulation or shut down establishments on the 101.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the statistics suggest something different. DUI-related death rates are in decline, and have been for decades (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810942.pdf).
This success isn't the result from a new Prohibition, but rather changes in the legal deterrents and cultural norms.
I remember clearly an episode of MASH where Hawkeye takes a Jeep from the motor pool in a blackout. What followed was a slapstick comedy sequence backed by a laugh track that ends with the flipping of the Jeep. Of course, our hero is unharmed. Now imagine that scene inserted into a current sit com. Crazy, right?
Just pointing out that we continue to make improvements on DUI, and that success has nothing to do with limiting choice or access.
--The New Guy
which is why as taxpayers we are right to ask why are the police and sherriff's, who we pay millions of dollars to a year - not able to crack down on the rampant spring break like behavior of drunks downtown?
DeleteInstead the solution is taxpayers need to pay for another full time code enforcemetn officer who won't do squat to solve the problem.
We need cops cracking down - then the drunks will get the message - you booze you loose.
I agree and another reason to fire that lame ass Vina.
DeleteYup, the stats are much better now, and the penalties a lot of severe, in terms of losing your license and the cost...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.madd.org/drunk-driving/about/history.html
Jeans on kpbs telling us why we need PV...
ReplyDeleteKranz...
DeleteK says will be arts site. Says public input via workshops will be held( on the site??), dots placement then council will make final decision.
DeleteInterview over....
I've learned that pedestrians NEVER have the right of way. I was in the marked pedestrian crossing when a Mexican woman driver in a van turned left and kept coming at me - she clearly saw me, but did not attempt to slow or brake. I had to literally jump for my life to avoid getting mowed down; another pedestrian witness had a startled look on her face, as she saw how close it was. I was dumbfounded, as I couldn't believe that this motorist had tried to run me over. After that, I never step in front of approaching vehicles or expect them to grant me right of way. Even when in the intersection, I watch for approaching vehicles. It gets worse in the Summer.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I find it useful to hit the side panel of the car hard with an open hand to get the driver's attention.
DeleteAnd if you happen to be carrying a heavy metal object or something else that will leave a lasting impression, even better.
It seems logical if drinking establishments were ordered to close earlier than 2 AM (such as 11 PM) that would be 3 hours less time for someone to get even more drunk, thus, perhaps saving one more innocent life. I wish this city council would get on board with this. The problems downtown that exist today will continue on and on. Hiring a person to take this on is stupid at best. That is what we pay our police officers for, to enforce the law. Someone always has to "die" before something is done. How many more lives have to be lost because of drinking? I realize this current death did not happen in Encinitas, but it's just a matter of time. I am not happy with the looks of our downtown area. It is dirty and uninviting except for the drunks. No wonder they come by the bus loads. I wouldn't think of eating at an establishment downtown. Who knows where one has puked, peed, or whatever. It is disgusting to even think about it.
DeleteA "Mexican woman driver" - could you get more specific? You said a lot about yourself right there, pal.
DeleteNot defending the person's driving, but...you said a lot.
Yes, we can no longer identify race or gender for any reason whenever someone screws up. You know, unless they're a public official like whomever on this blog.
DeleteAt San Dieguito, my French teacher Mrs. Young (who ironically was quite old) was appalled in '73 when janitors could no longer be refereed to as such, but "maintenance engineers". I think that was the first PC word I learned. But the "Spring Egg Hunt" sign on the Community Center right now takes the cake. Talk about having to walk on eggshells....
Sorry Fred, I just didn't get the point about calling out the assumed ethnicity especially - you?
Delete7:19AM Typical self-righteous innuendo seeker. " Mexican woman driver, probably in her late 30's, driving a van." Reality sucks for people like you seeking something other than their own projected hang-ups.
DeleteHey that came to you rather easily, didn't it 4:06? ;)
Delete4:16 PM If you can't handle facts, maintain your illusions (if you can).
DeleteHahahaha, whatever. Can't deal, can you?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete6:24
ReplyDeleteI usually say "Excuse me Ma'am" if they're bigger than me.
??? Stop while you're behind.
ReplyDeleteAccording to KUSI, the individual was drinking at a bar in Encinitas before the accident.
ReplyDeleteStockmeyer reportedly told deputies he had been drinking with friends at the Beachside Grill in Encinitas and admitted he "might have" hit a person along Camino Del Mar.
http://www.10news.com/news/bail-more-than-doubled-for-man-charged-in-hit-and-run-that-killed-marine-biologist-04072014?autoplay=true
The council should take note of how their decisions have unintended consequences on innocent victims--and I am not talking about Prop A!
ReplyDeleteThe Coast News story that shows a picture of Rachel's friends and family holding her picture as the confront the drunk driver at the Vista Courthouse is touching and sad. I would invite them to show up at tonight's council meeting and ask for the council to inact the DOA so that others might be spared this type of needless loss.
ReplyDelete