A motorcycle rider collided with a passenger vehicle and caused multiple lanes to be blocked off in the intersection of the Pacific Coast Highway and Orange Avenue, right across the street from LBCC’s TTC campus on Monday, Feb. 17.
The Long Beach city police department responded to the accident at approximately 4:43 p.m. in front of Big O’ Tires shop located across the street from the campus.
Witnesses said that they heard a loud bang and saw a motorcyclist lying between the pavement and the sidewalk.
“I was already on my way outside and I heard a loud bang. I saw the motorcycle on the floor so I ran back in and called 911. He was moaning pretty bad so I felt scared for him,” said Chauncey Snyder, the manager of Big O’Tires.
The Long Beach City Police Department arrived on the scene with the paramedics shortly after the call.
The motorcyclist was taken immediately to the hospital in a critical but stable condition and did not suffer any life threatening injuries.
Officers F. Sabbagh and J. Macias were able to identify the driver of the other vehicle involved, and noted a lack of damage to her or the vehicle.
“It was a two party accident and only one person was hurt, but it wasn’t life threatening,” said Officer Macias.
The motorcycle was split in two and was totaled.
Winnetou Ran, a customer getting work done on his vehicle at the tire shop, said the motorcyclist turned into the lane without their signal which caused the accident.
“I heard the sound, I looked and saw him flying in the air and the motorcycle sliding,” Ran said.
The streets were blocked off for 30 minutes before a tow truck came to retrieve the totaled motorcycle.
Motorcycle accidents result in more fatalities and injuries compared to other vehicles according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, additionally stating that a significant number of motorcycle accidents involve helmetless riders, causing death and injuries amongst many other factors as well.
It was unclear if the motorcyclist had his helmet on or not.
“An investigation is ongoing,” public information officer Richard Mejiea said.
No further information is provided at this time and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.