Tragedy struck on an Oceanside roadway yesterday afternoon when a collision involving multiple vehicles and motorcycles claimed the life of one individual and left another injured. The Oceanside Police Department received calls around 1:53 p.m. yesterday regarding a major accident on the Coast Highway near West Street. It was reported that a group of about five or six sports motorcycles navigated the thoroughfare when the incident occurred.
According to officials, the chain-reaction crash began when one motorcyclist started to slow down for a vehicle that was stopped in the northbound lane, preparing to make a left turn. A second motorcyclist, failing to judge the situation properly, crashed into the rear of the first motorcycle. Both cyclists were thrown onto the road, sliding into the oncoming traffic. This set off a series of collisions that left one rider fatally injured after being run over by a southbound Toyota Yaris while a second rider collided with another vehicle.
The official statement from the Oceanside Police Department, which you can find here, details that one of the riders suffered major head and chest trauma and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The other motorcyclist was treated at the scene for injuries. Thankfully, the vehicle occupants involved in the horrific sequence were unharmed.
While the Oceanside Police Department continues to investigate the fatal collision, they are urging anyone with any information to come forward to assist in piecing together the events that led to this unfortunate incident. Officer Jose Gomez of the Major Accident Investigation Team can be reached at (760) 435-4952 for tips or eyewitness accounts. The identity of the deceased motorcyclist will be disclosed once the next of kin has been properly notified.
