Accident claims life of second motorcyclist in 24 hours

By Jackie Valley (contact)

Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 | 6:42 p.m.

A 23-year-old motorcyclist died Sunday morning after losing control of his bike, making him the second motorcycle fatality in 24 hours, Metro Police reported.

The accident happened at 11:51 a.m. at the intersection of Torrey Pines Drive and Alexander Road in the western valley, police said.

The preliminary investigation indicates the 2002 Honda VTR1000F motorcycle was traveling west on Alexander Road in the left travel lane, east of Torrey Pines Drive, police said.

A 2004 Kia Sedona on Torrey Pines was traveling north, police said, when the motorcyclist, who has not been identified, apparently lost control and fell over, causing the motorcycle to strike the right side of the Kia, police said.

The collision sent the motorcyclist into the roadway, police said. He was transported to University Medical Center’s trauma unit and pronounced dead a short time later, police said.

The 68-year-old driver of the Kia and her two elderly passengers did not report injuries.

The accident happened about 13 hours after a 26-year-old man died when the motorcycle he was riding hit a curb on Rainbow Boulevard, sending him into a light pole.

Police said that wreck happened at 10:36 p.m. Saturday in the southbound lanes of Rainbow Boulevard near U.S. 95. It appears the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle was traveling south on Rainbow Boulevard in the right travel lane when the driver struck the west curb near Balzar Avenue, police said.

The impact ejected the man, who hit a traffic light pole before landing in the right southbound travel lane, police said. The motorcycle continued sliding south and ended up in the left turn lane. No other vehicles were involved.

The motorcyclist also was transported to UMC’s trauma unit and pronounced dead.

The accidents marked the 11th and 12th traffic-related fatalities in Metro’s jurisdiction this year.