Friend Shares Memories of Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident

Bay City News Service

A friend of a 23-year-old man killed in a motorcycle crash in Redwood City early Wednesday said his friend was excited by the prospect of a new job.

Redwood City resident Miracle Moses Leilua Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which happened at Roosevelt Avenue and Upton Street, not far from Roosevelt Elementary School, around 1:35 a.m.

Redwood City Police said officers arrived to find two men suffering from serious injuries.

Both were on the motorcycle at the time of the crash, with Leilua believed to be the one driving, police said.

They were traveling west on Roosevelt Avenue when the bike went off the roadway just west of Upton Street and came to rest in the parking lot of a nearby business, Redwood City Police Lt. Sean Hart said.

The second man was taken to a hospital. Hart did not know his condition, and his identity has not yet been released.

It does not appear any other vehicles were involved in the crash, police said.

Childhood friend Gregory Escolta, 23, lives in Las Vegas now but grew up in Redwood City with Leilua, where the two met playing Pop Warner football when they were 8 years old.

Escolta said he saw the Menlo-Atherton High School graduate just a few weeks ago in early February, during a visit to the Bay Area.

Escolta said they remained friends throughout high school even though he went to rival Woodside High School.

"The last time I saw him he was just really happy," Escolta said, adding that he had been well dressed after coming back from a job interview.

Although not family, Escolta said he called Leilua "his cousin" and noted his friend was close with Escolta's parents - who saw him the day before he died, riding his motorcycle through the Redwood City neighborhood.

Escolta said Leilua went by "Moses" or "Mo," although his mother named him "Miracle" because he was born on New Year's Day.

"He was a prankster," Escolta said. "He had this laugh - a loud, crazy, annoying laugh."

A social person, Escolta said Leilua "pretty much got along with everyone."

The crash remains under investigation, and it is unclear whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident, according to police.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Redwood City Police Officer Peter Cang at 650-780-7100, ext. 5021.

Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. - Republication, rebroadcast or any other reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

Did you know Miracle "Mo" Moses Leilua Jr? If so, share your memories of him in the comments below.

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