Santa Ana : Motorcycle Passenger Dies; Driver Arrested

A 40-year-old man riding with his cousin on a motorcycle died Friday when they hit the side of a car that was reported stolen shortly before the accident, police said.

Police Lt. Mike Mitchell said the accident occurred at about 6:55 p.m. when the motorcycle driven by Juan Orano, 21, of Santa Ana, crashed into a car at the intersection of Daisy Avenue and Pine Street.

He said witnesses told investigators that the motorcycle was traveling west on Pine Street when it slammed into the left side of a car going south. Juan Orano and his cousin, Pasquel Orano, 40, also of Santa Ana, fell to the ground.

According to witnesses, Juan Orano allegedly tried to slip unobserved into the crowd that gathered at the scene, but was pointed out by witnesses and arrested by police.

Mitchell said that Juan Orano suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. His cousin suffered massive head injuries and was dead on arrival at Fountain Valley Community Hospital.

Juan Orano was booked into the Orange County Jail on felony suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving.

Mitchell said the 1978 Toyota involved in the accident had been reported stolen shortly before the incident. However, he said the driver fled the scene and was still being sought on Saturday.