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Man dies in solo crash at Santa Fe Drive roundabout
By: ADAM KAYE - Staff Writer
Jerrett Baker, 33, was a San Diego firefighter | ∞
A volleyball and flowers provide remembrances for Jerrett Baker, a San Diego city firefighter, who was killed in an accident at the roundabout on Santa Fe Drive. He was headed east at about 2 a.m. when he drove into a concrete pole, which fell on top of the truck's cab, authorities said. The truck rolled about 100 feet into a vacant lot, where Jerrett died.
ADAM KAYE Staff Photographer
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ENCINITAS ---- A crash that killed a San Diego firefighter early Sunday is the first fatal accident at the roundabout on Santa Fe Drive.
Officials said Monday, however, that the crash is only the second one reported at the intersection of Santa Fe, Rubenstein Avenue and Devonshire Road since 2004, when the city installed the raised circle in an effort to make the accident-prone intersection safer.
Encinitas resident Jerrett Baker, 33, died from multiple injuries he received after smashing into a streetlight pole, authorities said. The concrete pole crushed the cab of the silver Ford pickup Baker was driving.
Baker, who was single, is survived by his parents, Ken and Carol Baker, according to a county medical examiner's investigator.
He had previously worked on the fire engine and paramedic unit for the Valley Center Fire Protection District, said Valley Center firefighter Joe Basinski.
At the crash scene on Monday, someone had tied a volleyball and flowers to the jacaranda tree growing from the center of the roundabout.
"You were my best friend," someone wrote on the ball. "I'll miss you. You're always in our hearts."
On Monday evening, a group of about 20 friends and fellow firefighters gathered at the crash site pay tribute to their friend.
One firefighter, who identified himself only as Dave, said that Baker grew up in Encinitas and started playing volleyball at moonlight beach when he was 14. Other older players knicknamed him "The Kid."
He went on to become an accomplished volleyball player who represented his fire department in state and international games, including one in when he played in the World Police and Fire Games in Australia.
Other remembrances for "The Kid" were written in surfboard wax on the roundabout and the nearby sidewalk.
A North County Times story from 2001 names Baker as one of the first graduates of a paramedic and firefighter training program at Palomar College.
Friends said they are organizing a volleyball tournament at Moonlight Beach to help cover funeral expenses.
Maurice Luque, a spokesman for San Diego Fire and Life Safety Services, said Baker has worked as a firefighter-paramedic at Mira Mesa's Station No. 38 since 2004.
No one witnessed the accident, said sheriff's Sgt. Randy Webb.
While neighbors told investigators Sunday they heard what sounded like a crash between 2 and 2:30 a.m., the accident was not reported until many hours later. Baker was declared dead at the scene at 7:09 a.m.
The crash ended when the victim's vehicle came to a stop in the corner of a vacant lot east of the roundabout, Webb said.
With the pickup off the road, and with much of the debris from the crash landing in a parking lane, motorists would not necessarily have realized an accident had happened, Webb said.
Webb said Baker was driving eastbound, climbing a hill on the approach to the roundabout "at a pretty high rate of speed." He drove over the raised, traffic circle but avoided a large planter box in the center of it.
After clearing the roundabout, Baker's Ford climbed a curb and smashed a concrete light pole just east of Rubenstein Avenue. He threaded two small trees before his pickup veered back onto the road, then into the vacant lot.
By late Monday, a second memorial, which included a notebook where friends could write remembrances, had sprung up on the weed strewn vacant lot.
The accident remains under investigation.
"We have some information he was drinking at a local bar," Webb said.
When the Santa Fe Drive roundabout opened in 2004, some residents said they worried it would be unsafe. One other accident has been reported at the roundabout, a solo hit-and-run in March. There were no injuries, but alcohol was involved in that crash, Webb said.
The city is building a second roundabout on Leucadia Boulevard west of Interstate 5.
Contact staff writer Adam Kaye at (760) 901-4074 or akaye@nctimes.com.
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encinitaS wrote on Oct 9, 2007 9:36 AM:i live on rubenstein. I hate that roundabout. I think it's a terrible addition to our roadways. It's confusing even to people that aren't drunk...if that roundabout wasn't installed this young man would probably be alive....
Are you sure? wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:08 AM:He may be alive without the roundabout, big if..but the roundabout would have saved the vagrant who was killed by the Ferrari last year. Regardless of the road condition or layout, this unfortunate individual may have further impaired himself if he had been drinking. I live by there as well, I drive it most everyday, and I like it. We should have another one at Santa Fe and San Elijo, and they should be all along Rancho Santa Fe Road in Olivenhain. Tragic about JB...sigh.
Ann wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:33 AM:What a shame...Roundabouts are safe....drinking and driving are dangerous. I wish they would replace all those dangerous traffic signals with roundabouts. Its the signals that kill people.
pb wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:42 AM:There are alot of big "if's" that could of changed the outcome to this tragic story. We will kill ourselves trying to figure out the big "if's" and it will change nothing. We need change our perspectives and realize that the world lost an incredibly special person. We all lost an incredible friend, a mentor, a great athlete and an incredible fireman. To Jerrett Baker the best friend a man can have, may you never be forgotten.
lawrenceofleucadia wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:20 AM:those trafific circles are too small for the amount ou traffic that goes through them.....case and point...take a look at either the roundabouts in calsbad by the museum or the ones in rancho pacifica down south....it is a tragidy and will probably not be the last.....God bless J.B. and his family
JL wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:29 AM:I've known Jerrett since he was a little "kid". He had a great appreciation for every day and embraced life with a smile. We'll all miss you at Moonlight... and everywhere else.
C.D. wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:47 AM:The safest of intersections become hazardous and deadly when people drive too fast. This round-a-bout is perfectly safe. read the signs when approaching it...."cars inside circle have right-of-way" Simple. It is intended to slow drivers down and keep traffic flowing. Nonetheless, we have lost a dear friend to dangerous driving. We will miss you dearly Jerrett.
Sic&Tired wrote on Oct 9, 2007 12:05 PM:Again- our thoughts, prayers and best wishes to Jerret's family and friends. What a heartbreaking loss for the community.
GURU53 wrote on Oct 9, 2007 12:22 PM:DANGEROUS TO PULL OUT FROM THE HOSPITAL THERE. I TRY TO AVOID THAT AREA.
Prodriver wrote on Oct 9, 2007 1:09 PM:Words posted here only begin to share the loss of such a gifted man. It's a tragedy that needn't have occured. A little more human intervention by a friend, hostess or bartender might have prevented this death, if, in fact, he was driving impaired. Drunk driving is preventable - sleep it off in your car! Better yet - don't drive after drinking! Best - Don't drink at all if you're driving!
Laurie wrote on Oct 9, 2007 2:55 PM:My condolences go out to his family and friends. I go around that roundabout many times a day, and people are getting the gist of it. The young man must have been going really, really fast to knock out a heavy pole and continuing for 100 ft. The roundabout can't be blamed.
Rogers wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:51 PM:I never liked that circle and now I know why. You were a good soul and a kind friend. I'll miss you, buddy.
No sympathy wrote on Oct 9, 2007 4:33 PM:Re: Community Forum. The roundabout was not the cause of this fatality, excessive speed and/or impairment was. The old four-way stop signs would have allowed him to sail through the intersection. Would you rather that he had killed an innocent person either at that spot or further down the road? Dangerous drivers cause more damage at stop signs than in roundabouts. The roundabout did its job. I wish that my house near Carlsbad high school had one.
ERdoc wrote on Oct 9, 2007 5:15 PM:"great friend"? "good soul"? "mentor"? "incredible fireman"? Or selfish & irresponsible drunk partier speeding at 2:00 AM?
Best friend wrote on Oct 9, 2007 6:03 PM:By far one of the most amazing people I ever met. He will always be missed by us. A friend in the most true sense of the word, always giving for others. This was true in his job and life. I personally witnessed his caring side time and time again. It caught me off guard on many occasion. Never to be forgotten.
LMK wrote on Oct 9, 2007 6:03 PM:So much life to give...thank you for being my friend. My God bring you peace. I will miss you.
17th Basic Fire Academy Mate wrote on Oct 9, 2007 7:12 PM:Jerrett, hey brother the world has lost one of the "Good Guys"!!! You will be missed.
jch wrote on Oct 9, 2007 7:39 PM:I've known Jarrett since he was a kid and he was the most life loving, enthusiastic man always with the biggest smile on his face......did the round about cause this??? did bad decisions about drinking cause this?? who knows but we have lost a wonderful young man who lived life to the absolute fullest ....it is very sad
Nearby neighbor wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:34 PM:I blame at least partially the roundabout. I also drive it daily and approach it very, very cautiously. I don't like it because it is poorly designed. The turning radius is too small. I have seen many sober drivers in daylight have trouble negotiating it. Just take a look at all the tire marks on the raised center section. A lot of people have trouble staying in the proper lane. I am very sorry such a young man had to die. Remember this roundabout was put in to mitigate big increases in traffic coming from the Scripps expansion and the Hall sport complex. Things will get worse.
pb wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:56 PM:dear "no sympathy and dear ERdoc". Apparently you have no heart. Search diligently and you will find that you have a good friend that knew Jerrett and knew what kind of man he was. Everybody who lived in Encinitas either knows or is friends with someone who knows Jerrett and knows his heart. Unless your a Born Mormon or have never drank in your life, tell me you have never drank impaired. It was a bad decision no mistake about it. Jerrett you will be never the less be missed. Miss you buddy..... I will celeberate your life every where i go either it be to a fire or party, your spirit will be there. . . promise. PB
friend wrote on Oct 10, 2007 3:12 AM:Yes, it was not the intersection's fault but being a local I have witnessed more than one near miss at that roundabout. Nobody knows how to use them. It was built for stupid superficial reasons to try and make Encinitas look more "upscale" or "European". This is America and we have the money and tech. to build intersections with lights,sensors, cameras,etc. Talk about a waste of tax payer's money for such an insignificant intersection! Good call city planner! Save the roundabouts for the less underdeveloped countries. Furthermore, If you have not driven east-bound on Santa Fe for awhile, that roundabout comes up on you fast at the top of the hill. You will be missed Jarrett!!-
more intelligent police officer wrote on Oct 10, 2007 9:23 AM:The traffic signals and four way stops are much more dangerous than the roundabouts. The roundabouts are used throughout the world and are replacing signals everywhere because they have a much safer record. The previous poster may have lost a friend, but knows nothing about controlling traffic at an intersection. Signals kill. Roundabouts save innocent lives.
bonddi wrote on Oct 10, 2007 10:06 AM:The roundabout did not kill him, the concrete non-breakaway pole located @1 1/2 feet from the roadway killed him. Even if he was driving impaired because of alcohol, which is just speculation at this point, don't we want to protect all "impaired" drivers -- i.e., those who are driving and suddenly blinded by the sun, suffering a sudden pain that momentarily takes the driver's attention from the road, losing control after swerving to avoid hitting a child, dog, person, etc. That pole, a solid concrete barrier, should not have been placed so close to the road. Watch out, there are three of those poles still standing.
moonlight friend wrote on Oct 10, 2007 10:15 AM:I live next door to this roundabout intersection and the amount of confusion and complete lack of understanding by drivers is amazing. Its seems as if every 30 seconds someone is honking or yelling out their window. I realize that this confusion did not cause the accident, but to say that the intersection design was not a part of the problem is a bit ignorant. I would also like to believe that ERdoc is truley not a doctor. How can any person, much less a doctor, have such little compassion. To question a person they obviously don't know after a tragic death is appauling, and shows complete lack of respect to all that knew him. We was a always will be a great person, friend, firefighter, volleyball player, and mentor at the beach. Because of the way he passed gives noone the right to question, much less comment, on the way he lived his life. The positive quotes speak to his life and the joy he brought to everyone around him. You will be missed and remembered forever. Moonlight loves you!!!!
FFJ wrote on Oct 10, 2007 12:26 PM: I had chance to become friends with Jarrett this past March. He was a great person. One of nicest person I have ever met. This is such a tragedy. As a Firefighter/Paramedic he helped save many lives. And he would have saved many more. It is so sad he had to pass this way. Please give him the respect he and his family deserve.
Nic wrote on Oct 10, 2007 2:21 PM:... I especially thank the last writer. Thankyou for your compassion and respect for his memory and the spirit of who he was. All our lives will never be the same without you.
Oh Please..... wrote on Oct 10, 2007 5:23 PM:The guy made a mistake, he paid for it. If, if, if, if, if, if, if. Doesn't matter if he hit a truck or a pole or a bump. Doesn't matter if he was going up, down, forwards, backwards, or though a roundabout. He made a mistake, he paid for it. That's all there is to it.
Best friend wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:48 PM:I think the true encinitas locals have spoken. We all will miss you.
John wrote on Oct 11, 2007 7:41 AM:I drive that traffic circle every day. It was a disaster waiting to happen from the day it opened. Very poor design. A stop sign would have done the job, at much less expense, and much more safely. On top of that, walking through it is even more dangerous than driving through it.-
Vista Granny wrote on Oct 11, 2007 8:10 AM:What is so difficult to understand about traffic circles? Those complaining should take a trip to Boston or Paris where traffic circles handle multiple lanes of traffice very efficiently. If the "turning radius" seems to small, could be that your SUV or 4-wheel drive truck is too big!! Sad, really, because I love those Paramedics.-
KAH wrote on Oct 11, 2007 8:32 AM:Re : Oh Please.. Ignorance must be bliss for you. Next time you make a mistake, maybe you will "pay for it". ... JB you will be truly missed, may you be at peace... xoxo-
Hockey wrote on Oct 11, 2007 9:25 AM:Lets remember what kind of person that was lost here... Not to blame him or the round about... Some people are so insensitive (ERdoc), nice commmet. If there is nothing nice to say then dont post it... Jarret, We will miss you!!!!
Alf wrote on Oct 11, 2007 9:54 AM:Well, "KAH", the real quote is "Where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise." Regards, Alf.
To KAH wrote on Oct 11, 2007 10:41 AM:Yup, I make mistakes all the time, and I always pay for it. That's part of learning and being a human being. As I get older, my mistakes tend to be less severe, but every once in awhile I make a whopper. Couple of times I should have died. My point is people always look for "meaning" or say "what if" in situations like this. Well, there is no meaning, there are no "what if's". You have your memories, and you move on. I guess if you didn't know this guy, your not a true local.-
KAH wrote on Oct 11, 2007 10:45 AM:Thank you Hockey, I agree 100%. Alot of people lost an amazing family member & friend...... Please be considerate.
TJR wrote on Oct 11, 2007 12:48 PM:I hate the roundabouts. I avoid Santa Fe Drive. Now I'll have avoid Leucadia Blvd. Which will be hard as I live in Leucadia. I've traveled in other countries with roundabouts they are very scary. Who ever decided on these are nuts. If the counsil hired a consultant, they waited "our" money. I will not vote for any current town counsil member in the future. This is the most ridiculous thing they have done. Even more than the Hall property. My prayers go out to the young man and his family.-
Firefighter/Medic? wrote on Oct 11, 2007 2:37 PM:It's Tragic. We should ALL learn from this. It's not about who's right or wrong. Round-abouts, well, they suck! Bottom Line here is that a Role-model was killed in a crash that could have been avoided. "Who lets their friend drive?" let alone, "Who lets their Firefighter Buddy drive?" Poor Judgement by friends!!!! NOT the BARS FAULT......'
SK wrote on Oct 11, 2007 3:08 PM:Really sad about the young man. If you want to remember the man in peace, quite focusing your negative opinions on the roundabout. The man made poor choices and the result was terrible. Why is NCT only posting commments that are negative roundabouts? Most of the people I talk to love them.'
Some perspective wrote on Oct 11, 2007 11:26 PM:Regardless of the cause of the accident, a set of parents have lost their only child, a dear friend has lost his best man, and we have all lost a loving, generous man who chose to protect and save us for a living.
LJ wrote on Oct 12, 2007 10:35 PM:Went to the services today at Moonlight. JB was loved by many people...that was clearly evident today. Very sad day. SDFD lost a good one. Lots of emotion from family and friends. Jerrett will be missed by many. /
Kzerk wrote on Oct 15, 2007 11:28 AM:To ER DOC: Does one moment in a Jerrett's life, an error of judgment define him? Did the friendships he had not exist? Are the things he taught the people who loved him no longer learned? Are the lives he saved now gone? The homes, people, pets and prized possessions he protected suddenly burned to the ground? No. Just as you should be remembered by the lives you save not the lives you lose (if you truly are an ER Doc), Jerrett should be remembered by the life he lived, not how he left us. So YES, Jerrett was a great friend, a good soul, a mentor and an incredible fireman! Jerrett we will always love you and remember you for "the kid" you were, the man you became and the hero you will always be.
KZ wrote on Oct 16, 2007 6:42 AM:To ER Doc. Does one moment in Jerrett's life, an error of judgement, define him? Did the friendships he had not exist? Are the things he taught people no longer learned? Are the lives he saved suddenly gone? The homes, people, pets and prized possessions he protected suddenly burned to the ground? No. Just as you should be remembered for the lives you save not the lives you lose (if you truly are an ER Doc), Jerrett should be remembered by the life he lived, not how he left us. So yes, Jerrett was a great friend, a good soul, a mentor and an incredible fireman! Jerrett we will always love you and remember you for "the kid" you were, the man you became and the hero you will always be.
Monitor wrote on Oct 18, 2007 11:19 AM:Roundabouts: Slow down. You won't have any problems. Consult the DMV manual about roundabouts. Obey the regulations. In fact, all drivers should slow down in Encinitas and Leucadia. You all might be saints outside of your vechiles. Inside your vechiles, you become insane, dangerous, provocative and in a hurry to just wait at the next traffic light. Lastly, the car or person inside the roundabout has the right of way. Yield!
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