2 Motorcyclists Die in Unrelated Accidents in Sylmar

Two motorcyclists died in separate accidents in Sylmar, Los Angeles police said Sunday.

James Burch, 42, of Sylmar was killed at 2 a.m. Sunday when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a cement wall while making a left turn from Glenoaks Boulevard onto Polk Street, Officer Jack Blacklock said.

Burch died at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills of massive chest injuries, police said. There were no witnesses to the accident.

A 49-year-old man died at 3 p.m. Saturday after his motorcycle crashed into a power pole at Gladstone Avenue and Gridley Street, Blacklock said.

Witnesses told police that the victim was leaning to the right and appeared to be adjusting or wiping something on his cycle when he swerved and his head hit the pole.

The victim’s identity was being withheld until relatives could be notified.