Cyclist Injured in Fiery Freeway Crash
A motorcyclist was critically injured Tuesday after his bike ran into the rear of an auto on the San Diego Freeway, throwing him and causing both vehicles to burst into flames.
Steven Smith, 30, of El Toro was rushed to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center. The two occupants of the car got out before it caught fire. They escaped injury.
California Highway Patrol Officer Matt Clark said the accident occurred around noon in the far right lane of the northbound side of the freeway, near the Bristol Street overpass.
Officers do not know how fast Smith was traveling. Smith was not “splitting lanes” or weaving through traffic when he crashed into a Camaro stopped in front of him, he said.
The impact tossed Smith, who was not wearing a helmet. He suffered injuries to his upper torso, Clark said. The Camaro and motorcycle were engulfed by flames just moments after the impact, Clark said.
The accident is under investigation.
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