The driver of an SUV turned in front of a motorcyclist traveling at high speed through a Woodcrest intersection, triggering a collision that killed the rider, authorities said Thursday.
The fatality occurred just after 5 p.m. Wednesday at Gardner Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officer Javier Navarro said that a 35-year-old Corona man riding a Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on Van Buren was “traveling at a high rate of speed” when he entered the intersection.
A 24-year-old Riverside woman at the wheel of a Dodge SUV was going westbound on Van Buren when she initiated a turn to go south on Gardner, apparently without noticing the oncoming bike, Navarro said.
“As the Dodge attempted to make the left turn, the Yamaha collided with the right front of the SUV,” he said. “The rider was ejected.”
The SUV driver, whose identity was not disclosed, immediately stopped. She wasn’t hurt.
Riverside County Fire Department paramedics reached the location within a few minutes and found sheriff’s deputies attempting CPR on the motorcyclist. The paramedics also initiated life-saving measures, but to no avail. The victim, whose identity was pending notification of his family Thursday, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The intersection was partially shut down for nearly two hours while the wreckage was cleared and a preliminary investigation was conducted, including questioning of the SUV driver, who was not arrested.
“Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be factors,” Navarro said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Riverside CHP office at 951-324-7210.