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And after Dr. Payman Engheta wrapped his Lamborghini around a tree last month, it was right across the street from the popular watering hole that sits in the Angeles National Forest about six miles north of Lombardi Ranch.
The 9-1-1 call to officials that day came from the restaurant.
Over the summer, authorities said Marco Valencia, a drunken 20-year-old with two prior DUI convictions who was driving with a suspended license, allegedly plowed his truck into a group of cyclists, killing one and injuring two.
Not surprisingly, some of Cavi's restaurant-goers said they witnessed him speeding his damaged truck erratically up the canyon road as he fled the scene with sheriff's deputies on his tail.
Mike Milligan, owner of the Cavi restaurant and an Agua Dulce resident, and his son, Ryan Milligan, have made those 9-1-1 calls.
Despite the tragedies they have seen, the father and son do not consider Bouquet Canyon Road as a dangerous road between the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.
"It would be unfair to label Bouquet (that way)," the older Milligan said.
California Highway Patrol statistics indicate crashes along Bouquet Canyon have declined since 2008, when there were 67 collisions, compared with 59 collisions in 2009. So far this year, 14 collisions have been reported.
In 2008, there were 26 injury accidents but no fatalities, compared with 27 injury accidents and three deaths in 2009.
Since Jan. 2, there have been five injury crashes and two deaths: Engheta and an experienced motorcyclist from Northridge, who died in a crash on Sunday.
While the canyon road poses a threat for some, law enforcement officials agree it isn't the road that causes the accidents.
"It's common for drivers to drive above their abilities in regard to speed," said Officer John Lutz, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol. "There's fatigue or driving under the influence. We know for a fact that (driving under the influence), speed and people not wearing seat belts are direct contributors."
Lutz said there are several factors responsible for the reduction of crashes in the Santa Clarita Valley.
He said his department is focused on educating the public about safe driving habits and bringing more awareness to the community through programs that targets inexperienced teens, aging seniors and the general public.
"We educate the public on speed and (not wearing) seat belts and driving under the influence," Lutz said, adding the CHP also cites people driving unsafely and takes drunks off of the road.
Most agree a majority of drivers respect Bouquet Canyon, but that doesn't mean accidents can't happen.
"There are so many variables to this road - rocks, squirrels," said Ryan Milligan, a recreational motorcyclist. "Even a grain of sand can make your bike wipe out."
Of all the riders he knows, Milligan said just a few don't respect Bouquet Canyon Road.
Shawn Aleshire, another recreational motorcyclist from Canyon Country, said it's important not to speed on unfamiliar turf.
"I close my eyes, and I can draw every curve in (Bouquet) Canyon for you," Aleshire said.
Aleshire knows drivers speed around curves and blind spots.
He believes a public race course or experimental track could be an answer to reducing crashes on any canyon road.
"It might cut down on people pressing it through here," Aleshire said. "Bouquet Canyon is not the bad guy, it's the people."
He believes Bouquet Canyon is a safe, well-maintained road compared with other mountain roads he has driven.
"Fatalities are going to happen in any canyon ... because people push limits," he said.
But not everyone yearns to ride Bouquet Canyon for its thrilling winding roads and beautiful landscape.
Roger Hasper, owner of Newhall Bicycle Co., is one.
"There are so many choices, we don't have to choose that road, and we aren't fans. It's a twisty destination where people drive 60 mph on their way to Palmdale," Hasper said.
Hasper rides his bicycle every Saturday with a loose-knit group of customers and bike enthusiasts. They frequent Green Valley for its shopping and restaurants, but use San Francisquito instead of Bouquet Canyon to get there.
"There isn't any shoulder on Bouquet. It's beautiful and the gradation works," he said. "There's a climb, but it's not steep. It's nice with the country homes, but when people are flying up the road and crossing over the lines it's a dangerous situation for a cyclist."



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