On Thursday, August 1, 2024, The Irvine Police Department (IPD) and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) responded to a traffic collision on MacArthur over the I-405 freeway at about 1:18 p.m.
Upon arrival, an adult male, identified as Scott Andrew Morris, a 61-year-old resident of Irvine, was in the roadway suffering from a moderate head injury after allegedly colliding with a passing vehicle. He was immediately transported to a local hospital.
Yesterday, IPD officers were notified that Morris had died on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
Based on the preliminary investigation at the time of the collision, Morris was riding his beach cruiser northbound on MacArthur in the number one right turn lane of the I-405 on-ramp when he made a sudden left turn into a Chevrolet Suburban as it was traveling in the lane next to him.
Morris’ left handlebar struck the Suburban’s front passenger door and mirror, causing him to be ejected from his bicycle. Morris was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. The driver of the Suburban remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
IPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating this case. Anyone with information about this collision should contact Detective Joshua Balos at 949-724- 7024.
Such a sad story. Bikes and automobiles really don’t mix. Yet our policymakers worry more about being “pro bike” than pro safety. Even worse is teens on e-bikes. Smaller and lighter always yield to bigger and heavier. That how it is with every other mode of transit. Yet we make the rules just the opposite for bikes. The automobile always wins. But then again pro-bike policy is Green.