Family seeks answers after fatal crash
By: JO MORELAND - Staff Writer | ∞
Anthony "Tony" Nino, 23, brother of Kyle Nino, with neighbor Michael Cot, 44, hear firsthand the detailed moments after his brother's fatal motorcycle crash into a pickup truck from the lady who was first on the scene when Nino died Thursday on eastbound Highway 78 in San Marcos.
JOHN KOSTER For The North County Times
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VISTA ---- Anthony "Tony" Nino and his grieving parents are seeking answers where there may be few satisfactory ones after a loved one died this week in a motorcycle crash.
Tony Nino, 23, is the older brother of Kyle Nino, 18, who was fatally injured Thursday morning when his speeding motorcycle slammed into the rear of a slower-moving pickup truck on eastbound Highway 78 in San Marcos.
Kyle Nino was pronounced dead a short time later at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido.
Since then, Tony Nino said, he and his parents have been coping with questions raised by witnesses. They include whether Kyle was speeding and if another vehicle struck the motorcycle first.
"I know the investigation will bring out the truth," Tony Nino said Friday in an emotional interview near his Vista home. "I'm not trying to change the truth. I just don't want them to say it's his fault if it wasn't."
And, he said, the grieving family wants people to know that Kyle Nino was an experienced rider as well as a compassionate young man who cared for others.
"Kyle was the kind of person that would welcome anybody into his house, trust everybody, as long as you showed a good personality," said Josue Villegas of Vista, a friend of Kyle's, later by phone. "You could always count on him."
Villegas said he will miss hanging out at Kyle's home, hearing him laugh and his "unforgettable smiles."
Tearful at times, Tony Nino said he and his brother attended a four-day motorcycle riding school taught by the Department of Motor Vehicles at Palomar College when Kyle was 16.
It cost several hundred dollars and they rode with professionals there, he said.
Nino said he gave up motorcycle riding after a severe injury crash two years ago on Palomar Mountain, and he wasn't happy when his younger brother bought the black 2005 Yamaha YFZ RX last month.
"I told him I just wanted him to learn from my mistakes," the brother said.
Kyle told him, Nino said, that he would have to learn about life from his own mistakes.
On Thursday morning, he said, his father awakened his brother as usual in time to get to work by 8 a.m., not 7 a.m. as authorities originally thought. Kyle was a delivery driver for a tire company in Escondido, Nino said.
Witnesses said that Kyle Nino was traveling at 100 mph or more, weaving in and out of traffic and splitting lanes, Officer Tom Kerns, California Highway Patrol spokesman, said Friday.
Kerns said splitting lanes isn't illegal, but it may be a problem if speeding, traveling too fast for conditions, and unsafe lane changes or turning movements take place.
"We rely pretty heavily on numerous witnesses," Kerns said about the motorcycle crash investigation. "We're not talking about one or two. At this point we are certain that he was going at extreme high speed, over 80."
He said a driver who also rides motorcycles and is familiar with their speed estimates said she was traveling at 65 mph. in an eastbound lane.
"He passed me like I was standing still," Kerns quoted from the unnamed woman's statement.
In addition to other evidence that is still under investigation, he said, the motorcycle's tachometer numbers were high.
"There's a big dent in that (pickup's) tailgate," Kerns continued. "Somebody has to be going pretty fast to do that much damage when both vehicles are moving."
As far as any vehicle hitting the motorcycle, he said, "we have no evidence at all from witnesses that there was anybody else involved."
After Kyle was taken to Palomar Medical Center, his distraught mother arrived at the crash scene. Kerns said investigating Officer Sam Shockley drove her, using his patrol car's lights and sirens, to the hospital.
"She wanted to get there before he died," Kerns said. "He died before she could get there."
While he helps his parents plan Kyle's cremation and memorial service, Tony Nino said he deals with memories of his brother, who attended Vista schools.
Kyle was always helpful, a mechanic who belonged to a car club and a motorcycle group, and a good artist, Nino said.
"For Mother's Day he drew a huge rose for his mom that was like a professional drawing," the older brother said. "We wanted him to be an artist, but he wanted to work on cars, things like that."
Nino said some of his brother's many friends are in the military and fighting in Iraq. They're devastated, he said.
"I sit in his room," Nino said. "I want him back. I just want an answer ---- why didn't he get a chance to learn from his mistakes?"
The family is asking people who saw the crash to call them at (760) 415-8999.
Contact staff writer Jo Moreland at (760) 740-3524 or jmoreland@nctimes.com.
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Mimi wrote on Nov 4, 2006 6:02 AM:My prayers are with you. As the Mother of a young man who died in a traffic accident I tend to think God needed them. May you find peace as the reason and circumstances are most times so foreign from all we know.
Scott wrote on Nov 4, 2006 8:34 AM:Although I do have strong opinions on speed and traffic collisions, now is not the time. My heart goes out to the family and their loss. I can only imagine the pain they must feel. Rest in peace Kyle.
Susan wrote on Nov 4, 2006 9:10 AM:May God be with your family,Tony. I'm so sorry.
Let's Be Honest wrote on Nov 4, 2006 12:34 PM:You play with fire you can get burned. You drive 100 mph down a busy freeway you can get killed. What answers are the parents seeking? As horrible as this is for the parents, their son was at fault. What's an 18 y/o kid doing with a speed bike anyway. Why did the parents allow this young kid to have this bike?
shelby wrote on Nov 4, 2006 1:44 PM:Kyle was a great kid!!! he had a great sense of humor!!! we had some good times back in the day in summer school!! my prayors go out to the Nino family!!!! im sorry for the loss!!! Tony kyle always talked about u. he really looked up to u!!!! love always shelby
Roy wrote on Nov 4, 2006 1:49 PM:Kyle was one of my few childhood friends growing up. i couldn't have grown up and become everything that i am without him, he helped make me the person i am today. and i love who i am. so Thank You Kyle, your in my heart forever.
Brent wrote on Nov 4, 2006 3:26 PM:Tony i didn't see too much of you but your brother was a great guy.. Your mom has always been a wonderful neighbor and if you ever need to talk you know im just accros the street. R.I.P Kyle 11-2-06
Yes lets get real wrote on Nov 4, 2006 4:43 PM:100 mph or even 80 mph at rush hour traffic. Like sigalert stated puff of smoke-Poof you are gone. 18 year old with a bike...come on now get real. It's was just a matter of time. Sorry for the family for letting have the bike.
jessica wrote on Nov 4, 2006 4:55 PM:kyle was my boy growing up, we've known eachother since elementry school, one time i was sick and kyle drew me a picture sort of like the rose he did for his mom, it had my name in it, he was a wonderful person, and god broke the mold when he made him..... proverbs 4:5-6
Lidia wrote on Nov 4, 2006 6:10 PM:Kile Nino, Was a great friend to all of us over at palomar high school. Always there for us when we needed him...now it breaks my heart to know that hes not here with us anymore. The great memories he left with us will live for ever. Nino Fam. Your in my prayer's...rest in peace Kile...i'll miss you always and 4 ever!!!
Matt wrote on Nov 4, 2006 6:30 PM:My condolences go out to the family. It's a tragic event...as a sportbike rider myself, I hope my family, nor any of my fellow riders' families ever have to receive this sort of news.
Michelle A. wrote on Nov 4, 2006 8:55 PM:My prayers are for you Tony and Kyle. Tony I have always considered you as my brother. When I met Kyle he was a loving person from the very beginning. My blessings go out to the Nino Family.
Scott K wrote on Nov 4, 2006 9:06 PM:There are no guarantees in life and a second chance is not always an option. Sometimes we fail to learn from the mistakes that others have made. Teach the children well ...for they do not know. For this reason we rely on history and what it repeats to us. Rest in peace my friend, from you I have learned. That is your answer.
nina wrote on Nov 4, 2006 9:18 PM:nobody knows or can state the facts about how fast he was driving at this time and obviously you are not a parent because if you were you would know that our children will not always do what we want them to do unless maybe in some cases maybe yours we force our children to do what "we" want them to do and forget that they are adults and they can make their own descions and live their own lives thats they way its supposed to be thats how i was raised i dont know about you if you were or are a parent and didnt want answers then obviously something is wrong with you adn as far as far as the human speedometer she must be a computer or something and i guess she forgot her name thank you my deepest sympathys to the family of kyle nino from someone who also recently lost a very close relative in an accident but were still waiting for the outcome thank you ....nina
Your Answer wrote on Nov 4, 2006 10:54 PM:Your answer is in the testimony of 80+ eye witnesses who saw, first-hand, the motorcyclist recklessly splitting lanes at high speed at the worst possible time and in the worst traffic conditions for this kind of stunt-work. While it's legal to split lanes, there's a definite line that divides 'legal' from exercising the best judgment. Unfortunately, this rider didn't exercise his best jugdment. That bad decision cost him his young life, and years of agony for his survivors and friends.
G wrote on Nov 4, 2006 11:10 PM:Played football with kyle in highschool, just found out about the news. Nino was a great kid, and an even better man. Never saw him mad, and mever heard a bad thing come from his mouth. Prayers to the nino family, and ill see ya soon up there kyle. Rest in peace brother.
Megan wrote on Nov 5, 2006 1:06 AM:There was good times and bad but they were still there. My heart goes out to the family. Tony, Kyle really did look up to you. To the family, he always wanted to make you proud, it was all he talked about. Even though I havent talked to him in a while, I still remember that. Take care
chris wrote on Nov 5, 2006 4:22 PM: Haven't any one told you negative people that if you can't say nothing nice then shut your mouths. He might have been speeding but who doesn't. we all do illegal thing's so dont point fingers if your guilty of the same thing. most of you probly done drugs or cut off other drivers or done it all at the same time. I will not let anyone bad mouth my family i work at the bowling alley in vista so if anyone have's anything else bad to say about him come see me first and lets see if you still want to talk trash. And the rest of you i would like to say thank u so much for ur support. Kyle was a beloved SON,BROTHER and FRIEND may you rest in peace LIL bro.
christy wrote on Nov 5, 2006 7:06 PM:all you negative people need to know kyle's death had a purpose...i tried to help kyle live but instead he helped me live. Thank you with all mu heart Kyle i look forward to the day i can thank you face to face
To Chris wrote on Nov 5, 2006 7:44 PM:Chris, you're obviously very obsessed with going onto this site for the expressed purpose of checking what you perceive as negative posts, then blasting the writer for exercising their first amendment rights, just because they feel strongly about the subject of reckless driving. Understand something, Chris, not everyone is going to agree with you and your friends, but that doesn't give you the right to threaten people like a thug. That's life, so learn to accept that. Lastly, you're not qualified to give anyone any advice about what they should or shouldn't post. Your entry was chocked full of spelling errors and words used out of context, but we should probably consider the source....you work at a bowling alley in all places; Vista!
CARRIE & KELVIN wrote on Nov 6, 2006 1:00 AM:MY BOYFRIEND KELVIN HAS KNOWN KYLE FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. HE WENT TO SCHOOL WITH TONY, KYLE'S BIG BRO. I JUST MET KYLE A FEW TIMES. HE WAS SUCH A SWEET KID. VERY POLITE. HE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE. HE CAME UP TO MY JOB WITH KELVIN TO HELP HIM CHANGE MY FLAT TIRE. I WAS SO THANKFUL. I HAVE 2 YOUNGER BROTHER'S 20 & 22. I CAN'T IMAGINE LOOSING ONE OF THEM. SO MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY. KYLE WILL BE IN OUR PRAYERS AND HIS SMILE IN OUR MINDS. AND CHRIS IS RIGHT. KYLE WAS JUST A YOUNG KID LATE TO WORK. HE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE. LIKE MOST 99% OF PEOPLE FOLLOW THE SPEED LIMIT. SO GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSES. 80MPH IS NORMAL TRAFFIC SPEED, NOW A DAYS YOU HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I ALMOST GET RUN OFF THE ROAD DRIVING 65MPH. HE WASN'T A CARELESS DRIVER. HE HAD HIS MOTORCYCLE LICENSE SINCE 16YRS. DON'T BLAME HIS PARENTS. FOR HIM TO HAVE A BIKE, IT WAS BECAUSE HIS PARENTS TRUSTED HIM. LOOK AT ALL THE SMALL KIDS LEARNING TO RIDE DIRT BIKES. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND GOD ALWAYS TAKES THE GOOD ONES FIRST. THIS WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT. YOU DON'T KNOW ALL THE DETAILS SO DON'T JUDGE... HAVE A HEART... KYLE YOU ARE AN ANGEL AND WILL BE MISSED VERY DEEPLY...
SHANNON & JAMES wrote on Nov 6, 2006 10:51 AM:I ABSOLUTELY AMAZES US HOW IGNORANT PEOPLE CAN BE ON THESE COMMENTS THAT THEY ARE MAKING. NO MATTER WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED,NO ONE DESERVES TO DIE. HAVE SOME COMPASSION AND EMPATHY FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE LOVED ONE. TAKE THE NEGATIVITY ELSEWHERE. YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT OPTIONS! THIS HAPPENED TO A LOVING AND CARING YOUNG MAN WHO WAS LOVED BY MANY. WE LOVE YOU KYLE AND YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU. MAY YOU REST PEACEFULLY KNOWING HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED. THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR FRIEND!!!
Gianna G wrote on Nov 6, 2006 1:56 PM:My heart goes out to your family, Tony. I'm shaken by the news of Kyle's untimely passing. I will always remember the times when we played video games on your bed with the big screen tv, ate pizza and ice cream and trashed the kitchen and made your dad mad...and Kyle always cleaned it, had wrestling matches, and long talks about what we wanted to do when we grew up. He told me once than he idolized you and looked up to you in so many ways. I am sorry that your family won't get the chance to see him blossom into a wonderful young man. He had a wonderful heart and was always very generous and giving. This world will miss him as much as I do. My prayers are with you and your family.
dc wrote on Nov 6, 2006 1:58 PM:You should be 30 before given a motorcycle license..they need knowledge and skill..when your young..you will go fast.. I am sorry for your loss.
KELVIN wrote on Nov 6, 2006 9:07 PM:TO DC AND THE GUY ABOVE THAT WONT GIVE HIS NAME... YOU CAN KEEP YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO YOUR SELF... HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU DIED? IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT OR HOW IT HAPPENED. STOP BEING COLD BLOODED. CHRIS IS DEFENDING HIS BROTHER AND FOR YOU TO BE IMMATURE AND MAKE FUN OF HIS SPELLING AND BEING A THUG, JUST SHOWS YOU HAVE NO CLASS OR SYMPATHY FOR OTHERS. LOOKS LIKE YOU KEEP CHECKIN THE SITE TOO. KYLE WAS A BETTER DRIVER THAN MOST 30YR OLDS. THIS WAS A FREAK ACCIDENT. KYLE WASN'T SHOWING OFF AND DOING POP-A-WHEELIES... HE WAS JUST TRYING TO GET TO WORK. HOW DO YOU GET EXPERIENCE IF YOU DON'T START OUT YOUNG. GET REAL... I KNOW 70 YEAR OLDS THAT DRIVE LIKE DALE EARNHARDT. I KNOW 18 YEAR OLDS THAT DRIVE LIKE A SNAIL. AGE MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. I LOVE THE NINO FAMILY, SO I SUGGEST YOU KEEP YOUR RUDE THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF. I LOVE YOU KYLE!
Jackie wrote on Nov 6, 2006 9:53 PM:This is a horrible thing, a young life taken way to soon - for those people leaving negative comments that is very sad and wrong. Have a heart, a family just lost a son, a young man just lost a brother, this is not a place to express your opinions so if you think he deserved to die just zip your mouth and move on. My brother died in a motor cycle accident going the speed limit, so whether you are 18 or 29 it makes no difference. There is a plan for all of us and for whatever unknown reason there were other plans for him. So please if you have nothing nice to say just move on and leave this family alone, instill your "values" onto your own children and not try to tell people that are suffering what they should have done differently. Our prayers are with you!
chargergirl wrote on Nov 7, 2006 1:21 PM:I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST START BY SAYING TO THE FAMILY HOW SORRY I AM TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR LOSS.MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU.I FEEL SOME OF THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE MAKING THESE RUDE COMMENTS, JUST NEED TO SHUT UP AND GET A LIFE.ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE.SO KEEP YOUR NASTY WORDS TO YOURSELF.THIS IS A TIME WHERE FAMILY COMES TOGETHER,AND THEY DONT NEED TO HEAR ANYTHING NEGATIVE.I AM PART OF THIS FAMILY,SO WITH THESE NASTY COMMENTS YOU PEOPLE ARE SAYING,IT ONLY MAKES US STRONGER.SO THANKS..KYLE WE LOVE YOU AND ONE DAY WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN.
MICHAEL AVILA wrote on Nov 8, 2006 4:59 PM:I HAD BARELY MET KYLE AT SAN MARCOS THE FRIDAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, AND I KNOW I DIDNT KNOW HIM AS GOOD, BUT IT STILL HURTS KNOWING THAT HES GONE, BUT IM FOR SURE KNOWING THAT THE LORD WILL TAKE HIM INTO HIS ARMS AND KEEP HIM SAFE FOREVER, IM SORRY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PARENTS AND TO ALL OF HIS FRIENDS!!
Sharon wrote on Nov 14, 2006 6:03 AM:I don't know if this will ever be read or not.......but I wanted to say from Kyle's family, that the turn out for his services was quite warming--the family could tell by the energy in the room that Kyle was much loved and will be missed by the whole community. Please learn from this accident. Speed was a factor. Kyle was traveling too fast. Motorcycles are fun, but respect them. Why lane split? To the young men who showed up at the emergency room the night of the car accident last Tuesday: SLOW DOWN. You are not impressing anyone with your stories of speed, and 'opening it wide open' -- if anything it shows your ignorance and stupidity. Do you think the Nino family wants to bury one of Kyle's friends because he was just an idiot? Please learn from this........
MIchael wrote on Apr 2, 2007 8:05 PM: Vista, CA. Kyle has been my friend since grade school. We been bestfriends since.Its a big change not having him here with us. Kyle nino was a good person and will be missed for all of time.
shyanne wrote on Apr 4, 2007 12:32 PM:umm this is really hard to do because i really loved my uncle kyle vary much and even i havent known him all of my live i really loved him and will miss him with all of my heart!!!!!!!and i know that i will see him again!!!!!
kristen wrote on Jun 2, 2007 1:03 PM:i new kyle he was one of are best friends me amanda,nicole ashley,micheal,justin we will all hang out and kyle was all ways there for us he was the best friend any one could every have he was loved very much and till this day i miss him so much i loved kyle with all my heart he was a great guy and will always be remeber R.I.P kyle I LOVE YOU
sarah wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:12 PM:rest in peace kyle we miss... you!! ...
donny wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:34 PM:Kyle, jess and i miss you dearly. you were allways there for me. its bin a year and i still think of you every day. love you bro!
Donny wrote on Aug 26, 2008 1:42 AM:kyle you were my best friend, and i know im not the only one that felt that way for you. some time has passed and i think of you every day. i can hardly tell a story of one of our good times with out jess geting a tear in her eye. miss you every day and think of you often. last year i was invalved in a head on, on my bike. when a car ternd into my lane without worning. i walked away with little more than a scrach. i like to think i had a angel looking over me that day. thank you kyle! my best wishes to all your famly and friends. love you bro!!!
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