Man Killed as Cycle Strikes Tire on Road
A 51-year-old man was killed early Tuesday when thrown from his motorcycle as it hit a tire lying in a freeway lane, authorities said.
David Vanvoorhees of Anaheim was westbound on the Riverside Freeway and making a transition onto the northbound Santa Ana Freeway when his 1988 Honda Roadster struck the tire in the No. 2 lane about 5:15 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Denise Medina said. It was not known how the tire--which was 3 1/2 feet in diameter--came to be on the freeway, she said.
Vanvoorhees died at the scene. He landed 50 feet past the tire, and the motorcycle landed 150 feet away. His helmet came off in the accident, Medina said.
A witness to the accident told police the motorcyclist appeared to be going slightly faster than the speed limit, Medina said.
The No. 2 lane was closed until 1:30 p.m. while debris was being cleared, Medina said.
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