A San Simeon man died at the scene of an accident on the north end of Cambria about 7:10 p.m. Thursday, according to a California Highway Patrol report.
Milton M. “Tony” Torell, 64, was hit by a 1996 Plymouth Neon headed north at about 60 mph on Highway 1 near Moonstone Beach Drive.
The victim was wearing dark clothing and, based on observations made at the scene by CHP officers, Torell apparently had been standing next to his bicycle along the highway.
The car’s driver, Francis “Frank” Doubrava of Cambria, was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the CHP. Doubrava, 46, works for the post office in Cambria.
Toxicology tests on the victim are pending. The CHP is in charge of the investigation.
Torell had been an electrical contractor in Cambria for years. A Lions Club member, he frequently donated his skills to the club’s Pinedorado and Teen Center projects. Torell also worked on the rebuilding of Community Presbyterian Church after it burned down in 2001, and he was a Hearst Castle living history docent for a time.
According to friends and family members, Torell moved to Washington in 2003, relocating later to Oregon. He had returned to the North Coast in August.
Torell was “a very hard-working man and was considered to be a very good craftsman,” said his friend, Chuck McMillen of Cambria Hardware. “I liked him, and I admired him.”
Torell was divorced and had three children: Jesse Torell of Jesse Torell Construction in Atascadero; Jake Torell, who is in the Air Force, stationed in Germany; and Megan Torell of Berkeley. There are three grandchildren.
Nephew Wes Torell of Wes Torell Construction lives in Cambria, and Tony Torell’s brother William “Topper” Torell lives in Port Townsend, Wash., and Baja California.
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