Big-wave surfer Milton Willis hurt in crash; passenger killed
A Laguna Niguel man, 24, dies at the scene of the Del Mar crash in which officials believe alcohol was a 'major factor.' Willis, who with his brother has written five books on surfing, was driving.
Milton Willis, 51, an expert in the sport of big-wave surfing, was seriously injured early Friday in Del Mar when he lost control of the car he was driving and struck a palm tree, killing his 24-year old passenger, officials said.
Investigators believe alcohol was a "major factor" in the collision, said Lt. William Donahue of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Bradley James Dillahunty, 24, of Laguna Niguel, died at the scene of multiple blunt force injuries, said Mike Ellano, an investigator with the San Diego County medical examiner. Authorities said they believed Dillahunty was killed on impact.
Willis, of Solana Beach, was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to a hospital, Donahue said.
Deputies responded to the incident at 1:42 a.m. Friday on the 2000 block of Coast Boulevard. Witnesses told deputies the tan Toyota Avalon was headed north on Coast at about 65 mph in a 25 mph zone, had run a stop sign, then bottomed out in a dip in the intersection, when the driver lost control, Donahue said.
The car slid across the road and collided with an empty parked car before hitting the large palm tree on the passenger side. The car then flipped around the tree and struck a car parked in a driveway and damaged two other vehicles, Donahue said.
Willis, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected from the car's rear window; he was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Donahue said. Donahue said today that did not know Willis' condition.
Willis, along with his twin brother Michael, runs a San Diego-based surfing school. The brothers are known for surfing some of the world's largest waves.
According to their website, they have authored five books on surfing philosophy, including "Discover the Greatness in You." Both have also received certificates of lifesaving merit from Hawaii, according to the site.
The brothers were featured on an episode of VH1's "Surreal Life" in 2004, trying to teach surfing to cast members, including Flavor Flav, Bridgette Nielson and "American Idol" runner-up Ryan Starr.
tami.abdollah@latimes.com
