News Release – National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (5-2-25)

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           May 2, 2025                                                          

SUBJECT:      National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month      

CONTACT:   Mike Gens, Sergeant

                     (805)385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7am-5pm) │[email protected]

 

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

 

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department is reminding drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. With the arrival of warmer weather, more motorcycles are taking to the roads, making it essential for everyone to stay alert to help reduce crashes and save lives.

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022, representing 15 percent of total highway fatalities for that year. In California, 634 motorcyclists were killed in 2022, an increase of 3.8 percent from 2021.

 

Throughout the month, the Oxnard Police Department will conduct enhanced enforcement focusing on dangerous driving behaviors that affect all roadway users, including motorcyclists. On May 26, between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., additional officers will be out enforcing vehicle code violations that often result in crashes, including speeding, distracted driving, and right-of-way violations.

 

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

 

Drivers

·         Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

·         Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.

·         If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before moving ahead.

 

Motorcyclists

·         Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.

·         Wear leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles and gloves. Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

·         Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot.

·         Always keep your lights on, even during the day.

 

Lastly, both drivers and riders should never drive/ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

 

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Safety Administration. 

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           May 1, 2025                                                          

SUBJECT:      National Bicycle Safety Month      

CONTACT:   Mike Gens, Sergeant

                     (805)385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7am-5pm) │[email protected]

 

May is National Bicycle Safety Month

 

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department is encouraging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe. With the arrival of warmer weather, more people are biking for commuting, exercise or recreation, making it essential for all people to look out for one another and save lives.

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,105 people killed while riding a bike in 2022, and an estimated 46,195 bicyclists were injured.

 

To help keep people biking or walking safe, the Oxnard Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield the right-of-way and stop sign/red light running.   

 

The Oxnard Police Department suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers:

Drivers

·         Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.

·         Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths.

·         Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least 3 feet of space.

·         Never drive distracted or impaired.

 

Bike Riders

·         Use lights at night.

·         Although not required for riders 18 and older, always wear a properly secured helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash.

·         Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

·         Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

 

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Safety Administration. 

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           April 29, 2025

SUBJECT:    Distracted Driving Enforcement

CONTACT:   Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

 

On April 30th, 2025, the Oxnard Police Department will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

 

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

 

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

*UPDATE*

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:                       April 28, 2025

SUBJECT:                Serious Injury Traffic Collision involving a Pedestrian

LOCATION:              Gonzales Road at Oxnard Boulevard   

VEHICLE:                 2007 Infinity M35

VEHICLE:                 Harley Means, 22-year-old Oxnard Resident

PEDESTRIAN:         60-year-old Male Resident of Oxnard, Name Withheld          

CONTACT:               Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

                        (805) 385-7849 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Update (Refer to the original collision information below)

On April 26, 2024 at approximately 8:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian near the intersection of Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers located a male pedestrian lying in the eastbound traffic lanes of Gonzales Road, just east of Oxnard Boulevard. The pedestrian was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. 

On April 27, 2025 the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office notified the Oxnard Police Department that the pedestrian had succumbed to his injuries. The Medical Examiner’s Office identified the pedestrian as Avelino Orozco, a resident of Los Angeles.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)385-7849, or by email at [email protected].

____________________________________________________________________________

On April 26, 2025, at approximately 8:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian near the intersection of Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard.  

Upon arrival, officers located a male pedestrian lying in the eastbound traffic lanes of Gonzales Road, just east of Oxnard Boulevard. The pedestrian, whose name is being withheld, was suffering from significant injuries. He was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. A 2007 Infinity M35 was parked along the right shoulder of Gonzales Road. The driver, Harley Means, remained on scene and cooperated with traffic investigators.  

Initial investigation revealed Harley Means was driving his Infinity eastbound Gonzales Road. He proceeded through the intersection of Oxnard Boulevard on a green light. Means struck the pedestrian on Gonzales Road, east of the railroad tracks. The pedestrian, a flower vendor, was crossing the eastbound traffic lanes outside of a crosswalk. It appeared he was trying to reach buckets of flowers stored on the center median of Gonzales Road. Means immediately stopped and called police.

Traffic Investigators responded to the collision scene and took over the investigation. It does not appear speed or impairment by alcohol or drugs were factors in this collision, however, the investigation is ongoing.  

Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Officer Alexis Arellano at (805) 385-7749 or via email at [email protected]. Also, anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778. 

Officers are on scene of a serious injury traffic collision in the area of Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard. All lanes of Gonzales Road east of Oxnard Boulevard are closed. Residents are asked to use alternate routes. 

*Updated* – Please see the attached news release. Thank you. 

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           April 21, 2025

SUBJECT:   Deceased Male Found at City of Oxnard Building
DECEASED: 24-year-old male (name withheld)

LOCATION:  City of Oxnard Service Center, 214 South ‘C’ Street, Oxnard

CONTACT:   Mike Wood, Sergeant

                      (805) 385-7600 (Thur-Sat 6PM-630 AM) | [email protected]

 

At approximately 9:28 a.m. on April 21, 2025, Oxnard Police Department officers responded to check the well-being of a person believed to be injured and locked inside a public restroom at the City of Oxnard’s Service Center building.  Upon their arrival and gaining access to the restroom, the officers located a 24-year-old male who had sustained a single gunshot wound. Oxnard City Fire Department personnel rendered medical aid, and then pronounced the subject deceased.  Officers recovered a firearm at the scene.

 

The individual involved in this incident has been identified as a uniformed security guard employed by a firm contracted by the City of Oxnard.  Based on the preliminary investigation, the gunshot is believed to be self-inflicted. The investigation remains ongoing, though at this time there is no evidence that suggests foul play. No City of Oxnard employees were involved in this incident, no other individuals were harmed, and the situation presents no threat to the public’s safety.

 

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The deceased’s name is being withheld, pending the notification of the next of kin.

 

The Service Center will remain closed for the rest of today, and is expected to resume services tomorrow (Tuesday, April 22).

 

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website:  www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity.   You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so.  You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.