A 31-year-old woman who was a passenger on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle died when the operator lost control of the bike and flipped it near Palmdale, authorities said Thursday.
The Lake Arrowhead woman died at the scene of the crash, which was reported at 9:26 a.m. Wednesday on the northbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway where it meets Pearblossom Highway, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Preliminary findings indicated the 2020 Harley was being operated by a 32-year-old Apple Valley man who lost control of the bike as it transitioned from Pearblossom Highway to the northbound lanes of the 14 freeway.
“The motorcycle overturned and continued into the raised concrete median separating the on-ramp from the northbound mainline lanes,” according to a CHP report. “During the overturn, the female passenger was ejected and subsequently collided with a metal freeway signpost.”
The woman, whose name was not immediately released, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man, whose name was also withheld, suffered a head contusion and hand abrasions and was not taken to a hospital.
Both the rider and passenger were wearing helmets, the CHP reported, adding that neither alcohol nor drugs were suspected as factors in the crash.
Anyone with information about the fatal crash was urged to call the CHP’s Antelope Valley Area office at 661-743-6060.