A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday when he crashed into a disabled van on the eastbound Artesia (91) Freeway in the Cerritos area, and the motorist was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired, authorities said.
Raymond Ruvalcaba, 29, of Torrance died at UCI Medical Center of injuries he suffered in the crash, which occurred about 12:05 a.m. west of Pioneer Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The driver of the van, 21-year-old Luis Rivera Hernandez of Long Beach, suffered a minor injury and was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the CHP reported.
According to the preliminary investigation, Hernandez was driving a 2006 Toyota Sienna when he lost control of the van and crashed into the center divider, the CHP reported.
“The collision left Hernandez’ vehicle disabled and unoccupied, blocking the High Occupancy Vehicle lane, facing in a southerly direction,” according to a CHP statement. “Approximately one minute later, 38-year-old Kenneth Rodriguez, driving a 2007 Ford Expedition, sideswiped the unoccupied Toyota Sienna. Moments later, Raymond Ruvalcaba, riding a Yamaha motorcycle, struck the unoccupied Toyota Sienna and was ejected from his motorcycle.”
The driver of the Ford SUV was not injured, the CHP reported.
The eastbound lanes of the freeway were closed for about three hours while an investigation was conducted. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the CHP Santa Fe Springs Area office at 562-868-0503.