A motorcyclist died after getting trapped under a vehicle after a collision in North Orange County

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at approximately 3:11 PM, Fullerton police officers were dispatched to the area of W. Commonwealth Ave. and N. Basque Ave. regarding a traffic collision involving a motorcyclist.

Upon arrival, officers located an adult male motorcyclist in the roadway with traumatic injuries and a black 2020 Harley Davidson underneath a gray 2021 Toyota Rav 4 in the roadway.

The driver of the Toyota Rav 4, a 47-year-old resident of Fullerton, remained at the collision scene. Fullerton Fire responded and pronounced the motorcyclist deceased.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a white, compact SUV was traveling eastbound Commonwealth Ave., attempted to make a U-turn at Basque Ave., and caused westbound traffic to stop abruptly. The motorcycle was traveling westbound on Commonwealth Ave. when the rider attempted to avoid the stopped vehicles. The rider was ejected from the motorcycle into oncoming eastbound traffic when the Toyota Rav 4, traveling eastbound Commonwealth Ave., struck the rider in the roadway.

The identity of the deceased motorcyclist will be released by the Orange County Coroner upon notification of the next of kin.

At this time, Accident Investigators do not suspect there to be any other vehicles involved and drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the cause of the collision.

Accident Investigators are seeking further information from anyone who might have witnessed this collision. Any witnesses with information about this fatal traffic collision are encouraged to contact Fullerton Police Traffic Accident Investigator Manes at (714) 738-6815 or via email at jmanes@fullertonpd.org. Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call the Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1(855) TIP-OCCS or visit their website at occrimestoppers.org.