Some regularly visited his downtown Murrieta barber shop to get a haircut. Others just dropped by for the conversation.
Now Walt's Old Town Barber Shop is closed indefinitely following the death of beloved barber Walt Smith, 62, who was killed in a traffic accident in northern San Diego County on Tuesday night, Aug. 27.
"He worked by himself in there," said his son, Cody, of Lake Elsinore, in a telephone interview Thursday, Aug. 29. "It was a one-man show."
The shop is described on its website as "owner operated in an old fashion setting."
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, Smith was driving a 2009 Suzuki scooter west on Old River Road when a northbound car on Little Gopher Canyon Road failed to stop for a stop sign, veering into the scooter's path. Smith, who resided in Vista, was thrown from his vehicle and pinned beneath the car.
Smith was flown by helicopter to Escondido's Palomar Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, the medical examiner's office stated in a news release.
"He was my best friend," said Cody Smith, a 29-year-old electrician. "He was always there."
Murrieta Mayor Rick Gibbs said the barber was also there for a customer several months ago.
Gibbs said Walt Smith notified authorities after the customer sat in a barber chair appearing despondent. A short time later police found the man in his home with a gun pointed at his head, and persuaded him not to harm himself.
In March, Smith received a commendation from the Murrieta Police Department for his efforts.
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Gibbs said the City Council will adjourn in Smith's memory.
His barber shop "was a place where people didn't necessarily go to get a haircut, but to chew the fat with the other old-timers," Gibbs said. "It's really sad that he has passed on."
By David Downey
Staff Writer, Press Enterprise
Now Walt's Old Town Barber Shop is closed indefinitely following the death of beloved barber Walt Smith, 62, who was killed in a traffic accident in northern San Diego County on Tuesday night, Aug. 27.
"He worked by himself in there," said his son, Cody, of Lake Elsinore, in a telephone interview Thursday, Aug. 29. "It was a one-man show."
The shop is described on its website as "owner operated in an old fashion setting."
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, Smith was driving a 2009 Suzuki scooter west on Old River Road when a northbound car on Little Gopher Canyon Road failed to stop for a stop sign, veering into the scooter's path. Smith, who resided in Vista, was thrown from his vehicle and pinned beneath the car.
Smith was flown by helicopter to Escondido's Palomar Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, the medical examiner's office stated in a news release.
"He was my best friend," said Cody Smith, a 29-year-old electrician. "He was always there."
Murrieta Mayor Rick Gibbs said the barber was also there for a customer several months ago.
Gibbs said Walt Smith notified authorities after the customer sat in a barber chair appearing despondent. A short time later police found the man in his home with a gun pointed at his head, and persuaded him not to harm himself.
In March, Smith received a commendation from the Murrieta Police Department for his efforts.
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Gibbs said the City Council will adjourn in Smith's memory.
His barber shop "was a place where people didn't necessarily go to get a haircut, but to chew the fat with the other old-timers," Gibbs said. "It's really sad that he has passed on."
By David Downey
Staff Writer, Press Enterprise
Some regularly visited his downtown Murrieta barber shop to get a haircut. Others just dropped by for the conversation.
Now Walt's Old Town Barber Shop is closed indefinitely following the death of beloved barber Walt Smith, 62, who was killed in a traffic accident in northern San Diego County on Tuesday night, Aug. 27.
"He worked by himself in there," said his son, Cody, of Lake Elsinore, in a telephone interview Thursday, Aug. 29. "It was a one-man show."
The shop is described on its website as "owner operated in an old fashion setting."
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, Smith was driving a 2009 Suzuki scooter west on Old River Road when a northbound car on Little Gopher Canyon Road failed to stop for a stop sign, veering into the scooter's path. Smith, who resided in Vista, was thrown from his vehicle and pinned beneath the car.
Smith was flown by helicopter to Escondido's Palomar Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, the medical examiner's office stated in a news release.
"He was my best friend," said Cody Smith, a 29-year-old electrician. "He was always there."
Murrieta Mayor Rick Gibbs said the barber was also there for a customer several months ago.
Gibbs said Walt Smith notified authorities after the customer sat in a barber chair appearing despondent. A short time later police found the man in his home with a gun pointed at his head, and persuaded him not to harm himself.
In March, Smith received a commendation from the Murrieta Police Department for his efforts.
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Gibbs said the City Council will adjourn in Smith's memory.
His barber shop "was a place where people didn't necessarily go to get a haircut, but to chew the fat with the other old-timers," Gibbs said. "It's really sad that he has passed on."
By David Downey
Staff Writer, Press Enterprise
Now Walt's Old Town Barber Shop is closed indefinitely following the death of beloved barber Walt Smith, 62, who was killed in a traffic accident in northern San Diego County on Tuesday night, Aug. 27.
"He worked by himself in there," said his son, Cody, of Lake Elsinore, in a telephone interview Thursday, Aug. 29. "It was a one-man show."
The shop is described on its website as "owner operated in an old fashion setting."
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, Smith was driving a 2009 Suzuki scooter west on Old River Road when a northbound car on Little Gopher Canyon Road failed to stop for a stop sign, veering into the scooter's path. Smith, who resided in Vista, was thrown from his vehicle and pinned beneath the car.
Smith was flown by helicopter to Escondido's Palomar Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, the medical examiner's office stated in a news release.
"He was my best friend," said Cody Smith, a 29-year-old electrician. "He was always there."
Murrieta Mayor Rick Gibbs said the barber was also there for a customer several months ago.
Gibbs said Walt Smith notified authorities after the customer sat in a barber chair appearing despondent. A short time later police found the man in his home with a gun pointed at his head, and persuaded him not to harm himself.
In March, Smith received a commendation from the Murrieta Police Department for his efforts.
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Gibbs said the City Council will adjourn in Smith's memory.
His barber shop "was a place where people didn't necessarily go to get a haircut, but to chew the fat with the other old-timers," Gibbs said. "It's really sad that he has passed on."
By David Downey
Staff Writer, Press Enterprise
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