CYPRESS : Motorcyclist Killed, Passenger Injured
A motorcyclist was killed and his 18-year-old passenger seriously injured Tuesday night when a driver ran a stop light and hit the motorcycle, police said.
The dead man, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of family, died instantly. His passenger, Monica P. Guyette of Buena Park, was in critical condition at UCI Medical Center in Orange. Both were wearing helmets.
Police said Richard H. Billings, 58, of Anaheim was eastbound on Katella Avenue about 10:50 p.m. when he ran a stop light at Valley View Street. He struck the motorcycle, which was northbound on Valley View, ramming it eastward.
The driver and Guyette were thrown off the motorcycle, which crashed into a pickup truck. The driver of the truck wasn’t injured.
Billings was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
A preliminary investigation ruled out alcohol, excessive speed or a malfunctioning traffic signal as factors in the accident, police said.
Billings was taken to Cypress City Jail where he was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter. He was released Wednesday on $25,000 bond.
He will be arraigned in Municipal Court in Westminster, police said.
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