An investigation was continuing Thursday into a collision between two motorcyclists on Interstate 215 in Perris that culminated in one of the riders landing in the path of a car that fatally struck him just as he got to his feet.
Daniel Bernston, 40, of Perris was killed Tuesday night on northbound I-215 at Harley Knox Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officer Javier Navarro said that Bernston was riding his 1997 Harley-Davidson at an unconfirmed speed shortly before 10 p.m. when another motorcyclist aboard a 2006 Suzuki GSXR entered the same location on the freeway, also traveling at an unknown speed.
“Preliminary investigation indicated the Harley and Suzuki collided with each other,” Navarro said. “The sequence of the impact has not been determined. Both riders lost control and were ejected from their motorcycles. After the crash, the Harley-Davidson came to rest on the shoulder of northbound I-215 at the Harley Knox Boulevard off-ramp.”
Bernston landed near his bike, and just as he “stood up … he was struck by a 2017 Toyota Camry that was exiting the freeway,” the CHP spokesman said.
The motorist immediately stopped after hitting the victim, who was found in grave condition by Riverside County Fire Department paramedics minutes later.
Bernston was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he died less than an hour later.
“The rider of the Suzuki suffered major injuries,” Navarro said, adding that the man, whose identity was not disclosed, was taken to the same trauma center for treatment.
His condition Thursday could not be confirmed.
The Toyota driver was questioned by officers but not arrested. The party, also not identified, wasn’t hurt.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the CHP’s Accident Investigation Unit at 9510-324-7210.