Cyclist Injured in Freeway Accident

A 21-year-old motorcyclist was injured Tuesday afternoon on the Santa Ana Freeway in Santa Ana when he swerved left into traffic and ran into the rear of the car ahead, authorities said.

According to California Highway Patrol dispatcher Janelle Clem, motorcyclist Kenneth C. Denton of Orange was “splitting traffic”--or riding on the northbound Interstate 5 between the first and second lanes--at about 45 m.p.h. when the accident occurred at about 4:25 p.m. Tuesday near the 4th Street exit.

Denton looked over his left shoulder just as traffic slowed to avoid a previous traffic accident, Clem said. He then swerved to the left and struck the left rear of a car driven by Mary Martin, 23, of Carlsbad.

Denton was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana with an injured ankle and leg. Had Denton not been wearing his helmet, he could have been more seriously injured, Clem said. He was reported in stable condition.

Martin was not injured, Clem said.