Motorcyclist Is Killed in Accident

A Ventura man was killed after he crashed his motorcycle into the back of a farm tractor on California 33, authorities said.

Richard Camerson Riddle, 54, of Ventura was driving his motorcycle west near Lockwood Valley Road at an excessive speed when he ran into the rear of the tractor about 9 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Because the accident occurred in a remote area in the Los Padres National Forest, it took nearly 40 minutes before emergency personnel could reach the accident site, authorities said. Riddle died at the scene.

It was the second fatal traffic accident in Ventura County on Monday. At about 6 p.m., Walter Charles Hayes, 76, of Fillmore was riding a bicycle along California 126 near Fillmore when he was struck from behind by a car, authorities said. Police said Hayes was dragged for more than 100 feet by the vehicle.

Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:45 p.m., authorities said. The driver of the car, 54-year-old Sharon Austel, was not cited, and authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident.