Biker Down in Ocean Beach

Memorial Day 2012 will be memorable for a motorcyclist who was hit by a car at around 11:00 a.m. in the 2200 block of Catalina Boulevard near Whittier Street.

Dave Stephens was "headed to the bank and to gas up [his] chopper" for a ride when a car with a Wisconsin license plate clipped him, according to his friend, Scott. The impact of the accident crushed Stevens's leg and damaged his motorcycle. His buddies were nearby and called for help immediately. Emergency medical personnel arrived and Stephens was taken away in an ambulance, "cracking jokes about not making the ride now," his pal Scott said.

San Diego police blocked the Famosa Boulevard exit off southbound Nimitz Boulevard and closed the 2200 block of Catalina, forcing drivers heading for the freeway exit to detour toward Ocean Beach.

The accident area was closed for about an hour while police and traffic detectives collected evidence. The young man and his girlfriend who were in the car that hit the motorcyclist stood by as neighbors congregated and TV news trucks pulled up.

Later on, the injured cyclist's friends moved his damaged bike to Stephens's nearby driveway.