Motorcyclist Critically Hurt in Collision With Van
A motorcyclist remained in critical condition Saturday after he hit a van broadside as its driver was trying to make a left turn in commute traffic on a major thoroughfare Friday afternoon, police said.
Martin L. Ritchey, 29, of Anaheim was riding his 1982 Yamaha south near the 100 block of North Magnolia Avenue about 5:15 p.m. when a northbound van suddenly pulled into his path while trying to turn into a driveway, Police Lt. John Cross said.
Ritchey ran into the van and was thrown several yards, hitting his head on the curb, Cross said. He did not know whether Ritchey was wearing a helmet.
Ritchey was airlifted to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana after police found him in the street gutter.
Richard E. Stock, 41, of Anaheim, the driver of the 1989 Ford Aerostar van, was not cited, said Cross, who added that an investigation is continuing.
“We don’t know whether or not the motorcyclist was speeding or whether the van driver just did not see” Ritchey, he said.
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