Community mourns teen killed in motorcycle accident in Vista just hours after getting driver’s license – NBC 7 San Diego

A 19-year-old man was killed in a motorcycle accident in Vista Thursday afternoon, just hours after he received his motorcycle license and was a day shy of his 20th birthday.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the accident occurred around 1 p.m. Thursday in the 2000 block of Hacienda Drive in Vista. A man named Chris Hendrickson was driving a Suzuki motorcycle when he collided with a Subaru hatchback and was taken to a hospital where he later died.

The driver of the Subaru was not injured. The collision closed the eastbound and westbound lanes between Via Center and Thunder Drive on Hacienda Drive for several hours.

Friends told NBC 7 that he had gotten his motorcycle license just hours before the accident that killed him.

Friends and colleagues gathered near the crash site Thursday evening to remember Chris. Those present brought flowers and candles. Congregants could be heard saying in unison, “We love you, Chris!” and singing him happy birthday.

Chris’ family and friends say they are devastated by this tragedy. Louis Gomez, owner and operator of a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Vista, told NBC 7 that Chris is one of his best employees. He was popular in his workplace, respected by his superiors, and well-liked by his many friends.

“Chris, as you can see behind me, was loved by everyone he met “We knew that Chris would deal with the upset guest and end up talking to that guest for five to ten minutes because he loved being with “He loved to make a difference in people’s day,” Gomez said.

“Even a team member asked him (Chris), ‘How do you stay so positive?’ and he said, ‘Because life is beautiful,'” Gomez said.

Gomez added that Chris would be celebrating his 20th birthday on Friday and that he had just gotten his motorcycle license on Thursday morning.

Gomez also described Chris as respectful and hard-working.

“He’s one of the most trustworthy guys I’ve ever met. And when it comes to Chick-fil-A, we know that Chick-fil-A is in a much better position because of what Chris has brought to the team. Chris will be.” “I missed it all,” Gomez added.

A celebration honoring Chris’ 20th birthday would be held Friday at his Chick-fil-A, Gomez said.

According to Gomez, a GoFundMe campaign has already been set up to help the Hendrickson family pay for funeral expenses.

Gomez is planning a fundraiser where a portion of the proceeds from restaurant sales will go to Chris’ family.

NBC 7 spoke with Chris’ older brother, Noah Hendrickson.

“I grieve here and there, but at the same time I just try to move on and make sure I take care of my mom and my sister. Now he’s gone, I’m the man of the house, there’s no other guy,” Noah said.

“He was always happy,” said Aline Ruiz, Chick-fil-A general manager and one of Chris’ colleagues.

An initial investigation revealed that neither alcohol nor drugs played a role in the collision.

The sheriff’s Vista station said traffic police are investigating the crash.