Family of motorcyclist attend Stallion Springs CSD meeting
Family of motorcyclist attend Stallion Springs CSD meeting
By: Matthew Chew
Description: Cousin and brother of rider who died in March 16 accident address board at April 17 meeting
Topics: calvin wren, stallion springs police, accident
Posted by editor Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:12:02 PDT
Viewed 879 times
0 responses 4 comments Armed with signs which presented their point of view in fluorescent colors, conviction and the determination of a loving family, relatives of motorcyclist Calvin Lloyd Wren attended the April 17 Stallion Springs Community Service District Meeting.
Wren’s cousin, Daniel Hestor, his aunt, Blanche Hestor, and his younger brother, Charles Wren, heard the board planned to address the March 16 accident, so they attended in order to speak to the board.
Daniel Hestor spoke to the Tehachapi News prior to the meeting.
“I want to draw attention to the injustice that happened to my cousin,” said Hestor. “He was an innocent man who was run down by a police force that was operating outside its jurisdiction.”
Hestor said the Stallion Springs CSD created a police force, an action he believed to be bold, but he said along with authority comes responsibility and accountability.
Hestor said he tried on two separate occasions to have his cousin’s accident placed on the regular agenda, but said that Board President David Aranda refused his request. Hestor said he was told he would be allowed to address the board in the public presentations portion of the regular meeting. Aranda told him his time to speak would be limited to two minutes.
“They may talk about their sewer system or whatever for a half hour. Unfortunately my cousin only deserves two minutes according to this board, which I think is unfortunate,” said Hestor.
Hester said he received an e-mail from Stallion Springs Chief of Police Brad Burris stating that the Stallion Springs officers were compliant with minimum state standards for first aid. However, Hestor said he questions that claim, based on his experience as a member of the Kern County Emergency Medical Advisory Board.
Hester said that based on his trauma center experiences, the first aid a person receives at the scene can dictate the survival of the victim.
Hestor said his family thought the woman pictured with Calvin Wren in the News photo was “awesome.”
“She prayed with Calvin while he was on his way to heaven,” said Hestor.
He said she was just a bystander and she ran right out to help and said the image of the woman with his cousin showed the family that Wren was not alone in those tragic moments.
The three family members arrived just after the meeting began and took a place in the back of the meeting hall, their fluorescent protest signs drawing stares and glares from those in attendance.
They sat through agenda items that included discussions on locked mail boxes, the possible bankruptcy of Horse Thief Golf Course, director compensation and the approval to send transactions electronically to the Kern County Auditor Controller’s office.
The Horsethief Country Club discussion centered on the possibility of shutting off the facility’s water for unpaid bills.
Raising his hand, Hestor commented on the water issue, “I recommend you turn the water off at the golf course to pay my cousin’s family.”
When the floor was opened for public comments, Daniel Hestor was the first volunteer to speak.
He told the board at some point, possibly in a closed session, they [the board] were going to have to vote on how to resolve the issue [the collision between a Stallion Springs police vehicle and Wren’s motorcycle].
“I just want to ask the board, if one of your officers was shot down in the line of duty, what would you do for that officer? That’s what we would expect you to do for Calvin, because he wasn’t doing anything wrong,” said Hestor.
Hestor asked that when the board votes, they look at themselves in the mirror prior to doing so.
Aranda interrupted Hector's speech to tell him that his two minutes had expired.
“So you’re cutting me off?” asked Hestor.
Aranda told him that is the way the public comment section is set up.
“Well, then I think it’s extremely disrespectful to allow a gentleman to talk about his private business for five minutes and my cousin gets two,” Hestor said. “So thanks for your cutting me off like your officer cut off my cousin and killed him.”
“I implore you, I ask you to do the right thing,” Hestor finished.
The meeting ended with no comment from the board regarding the accident.
David Aranda declined the Tehachapi News’ request for an interview for this article.
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Mon Apr 23, 2007 18:33:06 PDT
I understand the family is hurt, frustrated, angry, etc... But this statement makes it sound as though the officer intentionally killed the man.
“He was an innocent man who was run down by a police force that was operating outside its jurisdiction.”
Mon Apr 23, 2007 19:55:33 PDT
I too feel sorry for the family but, their statement was ridiculous and their signs just as ridiculous. What were they wanting the CSD to do? I'm sure the family will be suing and the CSD shouldn't be able to talk about the situation. I'm sure in the long run the family sill be getting what they want monetarily and I'm sure the CSD would like to apologize but they will just have to wait.
Wed Apr 25, 2007 15:00:32 PDT
the Stallion Springs CSD could not have at least conveyed an apology at the meeting?, thats hard to believe, the CSD are coming off like arrogant people, shamefull,,,,
Wed Apr 25, 2007 19:25:32 PDT
Although the officer wasn't following standard procedure, I don't think anyone can say that this was an intentional act. It was a tragic accident that I feel could have been avoided. By Stallions own chief's statement. He said that the police wanted to "take down the crooks" in town where there would be additional officer, i.e the sheriff. and by the sheriff's dept. statement they had no knowledge of what operation Stallion was involved in, but the bottom line is, if the cops wanted to do this in town, then why the stop on the freeway, that certainly isn't in town. I hope the investigation will answer all the families questions so they might find some closure. As far as the CSD, there just like any other city government, they don't want to here what the people want to say because they usually don't have an answer and if they do it probably won't be the truth. God Bless the victims.
