A San Diego-based junior sailor died earlier this month in a motorcycle crash, according to police and Navy records.
Engineman 3rd Class Benjamin A. Brunner, 19, was riding a Suzuki dirt bike in the 3100 block of Main Street in San Diego’s Barrio Logan neighborhood around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 when the road curved to the right and he was unable to navigate the turn, according to records.
Brunner “laid his motorcycle down” and slid across the westbound lanes, hitting a street sign, according to a San Diego Police Department report.
A notice released by the San Diego County’s Department of the Medical Examiner indicated that witnesses flagged down a nearby police officer, who summoned fire personnel to render advanced cardiac life support measures.
Brunner couldn’t be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the notice.
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Originally from Vincentown, New Jersey, Brunner reported to the dock landing ship Pearl Harbor in August, according to his service records.
The Naval Safety Center lists his death as the 11th fatality tied to an off-duty motorcycle accident since the federal fiscal year began on Oct. 1.
Brunner enjoyed paintball and spending time with his girlfriend, according to his obituary.
“Ben’s favorite times were living life to the absolute fullest, spent in the Pine Barrens of (New Jersey) with his friends riding dirt bikes, mudding, fixing trucks and cars,” the obituary states.
“He passed doing something he loved, may we all be as privileged.”
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
