Tustin : Speed, Lack of Helmet Blamed in Cyclist’s Death
High speed and failure to wear a helmet were blamed in the death of an 18-year-old Tustin motorcyclist, authorities said Monday.
Tustin police said Brian Jansen, 18, died of apparent head injuries at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, 5 1/2 hours after colliding with a Jeep in the 1300 block of Laguna Road.
The driver of the Jeep, identified as Mark Maddox, 30, of Tustin, was being treated at Western Medical Center for a fractured rib and chest contusions, Officer Al March said.
According to March, Maddox was eastbound on Laguna Road when he drove into a left-turn lane to enter the driveway of the Laguna Garden Apartments. As Maddox was turning left, March said, the westbound motorcyclist rounded a blind curve near Red Hill Avenue “at a high rate of speed” at 6 p.m. Sunday. “It was too late to stop,” March said.
Jansen, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown to the pavement in the driveway entrance.
March said an investigation is continuing but that Maddox does not appear to be at fault.
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