Motorcyclist Dies on Santa Ana Freeway After Truck Hits Him
A New Jersey man died Wednesday when a truck rear-ended his motorcycle on the Santa Ana Freeway, hurling the man into an adjacent lane where he was struck by several vehicles, a California Highway Patrol officer said.
The 48-year-old man, William J. Wargo, was heading south on the Santa Ana Freeway near Katella Avenue about 2:30 a.m. when a pickup truck traveling at about 55 mph rammed into the back of his 1956 motorcycle, ejecting him from the bike, CHP Officer Denise Medina said.
Wargo, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown into the next lane, where several vehicles struck him, Medina said.
The mangled motorcycle was entangled with the front end of the truck, which pulled over to the side of the road.
“As the Ford Ranger was going to right shoulder, the motorcycle erupted in flames,” Medina said.
No one else was injured and officers have not cited anyone in connection with the accident, which is being investigated.
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