MURRIETA (CNS) – A 23-year-old motorcyclist was killed when a teenage
driver turned in front of him, triggering a collision at a Murrieta
intersection, authorities said today.
Mason Young of Menifee was fatally injured about 6:30 p.m. Thursday at
Hellebore Street and Whitewood Road, according to the Murrieta Police
Department.
Lt. Spencer Parker said Young was riding his motorcycle southbound on
Whitewood when a 17-year-old girl at the wheel of a four-door sedan entered the
left-turn lane on northbound Whitewood to head into the residential area along
Hellebore.
There is no traffic signal at the intersection, where motorists making
turns are supposed to yield to oncoming vehicles going north or south on
Whitewood, according to police.
Parker said the teen initiated a left turn in front of Young, who was
unable to maneuver around her, causing his bike to hit the “driver’s side door
and front quarter panel” of her sedan.
The victim suffered catastrophic impact injuries, and he was
pronounced dead at the scene by Murrieta Fire & Rescue personnel less than 10
minutes later. The girl was not injured, Parker said.
“No driver impairment or indicators of speed violations were
discovered, and evidence suggests the primary collision factor to be failure to
yield the right-of-way,” the lieutenant said.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to
contact the police Traffic Bureau at 951-461-6397.
