NATIONAL CITY : Motorcyclist Killed While Racing Truck
A reckless race on Interstate 5 caused a chain-reaction accident in which a motorcyclist was killed and 16 people were injured, authorities said Sunday.
The incident took place Saturday night in the southbound lanes of the freeway. The drivers of the motorcycle and a pickup truck were racing, and as the motorcycle accelerated it clipped the side of the truck and lost control, witnesses told the California Highway Patrol.
The impact sent the motorcycle, its driver and a passenger flying, triggering three more collisions as cars braked and swerved to avoid the accident, the CHP reported.
The motorcycle’s driver, identified as Sergio Rodriguez, 21, of Mexico, was pronounced dead at the scene. Passenger Juan Rubalcalva, 24, of San Diego, suffered major injuries and remained in critical condition at UCSD Medical Center Sunday night.
Eight other victims were hospitalized, none with serious injuries, and seven more victims were treated at the scene.
The pickup truck involved in the race drove of without stopping, the CHP said.
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