A 23-year-old motorcyclist was killed when a teenage driver turned in front of him, triggering a collision at a Murrieta intersection, authorities said Friday.
Mason Young of Menifee was fatally injured about 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Hellebore Street and Whitewood Road, according to the Murrieta Police Department.
Lt. Spencer Parker said Young was riding his motorcycle southbound on Whitewood when a 17-year-old girl at the wheel of a four-door sedan entered the left-turn lane on northbound Whitewood to head into the residential area along Hellebore.
There is no traffic signal at the intersection, where motorists making turns are supposed to yield to oncoming vehicles going north or south on Whitewood, according to police.
Parker said the teen initiated a left turn in front of Young, who was unable to maneuver around her, causing his bike to hit the “driver’s side door and front quarter panel” of her sedan.
The victim suffered catastrophic impact injuries, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by Murrieta Fire & Rescue personnel less than 10 minutes later. The girl was not injured, Parker said.
“No driver impairment or indicators of speed violations were discovered, and evidence suggests the primary collision factor to be failure to yield the right-of-way,” the lieutenant said.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to contact the police Traffic Bureau at 951-461-6397.