Cop Shop

On Sunday, October 5 at approximately 5:40 p.m., Mammoth Lakes Police and Mono County Paramedics responded to the scene of a solo motorcycle traffic collision on Meridian Blvd. near Valley Vista Drive. Both the driver and passenger were transported to Mammoth Hospital. The passenger, a 21-year old female named Rebecca Anne Dempsey visiting from London, England on a visa, was pronounced deceased.

According to a News Shopper story which appeared this week in London, “Becki was on a four-month work placement after finishing her course in media with a 2.1 at Staffordshire University. She was due home in a week’s time.”

The driver of the motorcycle, Edgar Lee Weaver, Jr., age 31 of Mammoth Lakes, was flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

While initially listed in critical condition, it appears Weaver will survive.

The investigation is being handled by the Mammoth Lakes Police Department with technical assistance provided by the Bridgeport office of the California Highway Patrol.

The preliminary investigation indicates that excessive speed and alcohol were involved. Weaver was arrested for Penal Code Section 192(c)(1) (Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence), but not booked due to his hospitalization.

Mammoth Lakes Police have evidence that Weaver was drinking before the crash based upon a video surveillance camera at a local bar.

Police Chief Dan Watson said, though he was quick to caution that it’s just a rough guess, but based upon eyewitness reports and the accident scene, Weaver may have been traveling at upwards of 80 mph.

The speed limit on that section of Meridian Blvd. is 35 mph.

More from the News Shopper:

“Mom Karen Dempsey added, ‘We don’t really know [what exactly happened]. Apparently people told her not to go, I don’t think she knew the guy very well.’

Mrs Dempsey explained Becki had been at the bar where she worked and ‘may have been at a loose end’ getting home.

Her friend had taken another woman to the airport and arrived back two minutes after Becki had left.”