Murrieta Marine killed in motorcycle accident on I-15 two months after rescuing women from fiery crash on 163 freeway
SAN DIEGO — A Marine who in September rescued two women trapped in burning and smoke-filled cars after a collision, died in a motorcycle crash just after 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 officials said Monday.
Sgt. Gary G. Wilson, a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, had left work and was riding his motorcycle north on the I-15 when the accident occurred.
Wilson, 33, of Murrietta, was splitting the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes on the I-15 near Rancho California Road when he collided with a 2016 Honda Oydessy minivan, said Officer Mike Lassig, a spokesman with the California Highway Patrol in Temecula.
“The collision caused (Wilson) to lose control and the motorcycle careened towards the No. 3 lane,” Lassig said. “He traveled under the left rear wheel of the big rig’s trailer. He was ejected off his motorcycle landing in the No. 4 lane.”
Wilson was reported dead at the scene where he was covered with a U.S. flag, Lassig said.
The minivan was driven by a 38-year-old woman from Camp Pendleton and the big rig was driven by a 56-year-old man from Corona. Neither driver was injured in the crash. The CHP will continue its investigation into the cause of the crash, Lassig said.
Wilson, 33, originally of Fairfield, Conn, was assigned to 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, MCRD San Diego. He previously served at Camp Pendleton and overseas in Okinawa, Japan.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sgt. Wilson,” Brig. Gen. Ryan Heritage, commanding general of MCRD San Diego, said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult period. This is truly the loss of a fine Marine, and he will be missed greatly.”
Wilson was recently recognized for his life-saving heroics, said Steven Posey, spokesman for MCRD San Diego.
On Sept. 18, Wilson was riding his motorcycle to work when he came across a fiery crash on the 163 freeway near the 52 freeway just south of Marine Corps Airstation Miramar.
“He jumped off his motorcycle and ran to a burning car and saw a woman inside,” Posey said. “He broke the window and pulled the woman out on the driver’s side. After pulling her to safety, he saw a second car engulfed in smoke. He was able to get that women out as well. He got there just in time and both women survived.”
Wilson’s death has hit the depot hard and affects his Marine recruits as well as other Marines who served with him, Posey said.
“With that previous incident, those were heroic acts and he was highly regarded,” he said.
Wilson enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2010. He was assigned to the depot as a drill instructor in March 2016. Wilson’s awards include two Good Conduct Medals, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, a National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.