Motorcyclist Dies After Collision With Tow Truck

A 23-year-old man died Thursday morning when he lost control of his motorcycle on a winding mountain road near Acton and smashed into an oncoming tow truck, authorities said.

John Yoon, a resident of Montrose, was traveling south on Angeles Forest Highway about 10:25 a.m. when his 1999 Yamaha motorcycle veered into the northbound lane, California Highway Patrol Officer Karen Faciane said.

The motorcycle skidded on its side into the oncoming vehicle, a 1999 International tow truck that was traveling about 30 mph, Faciane said. Investigators have not determined how fast Yoon was going.

Yoon, who was wearing a helmet, suffered massive chest and back trauma. Paramedics called to the scene about two miles south of Aliso Canyon Road pronounced him dead just before 11 a.m.

Two Pasadena men traveling in the tow truck were slightly hurt, Faciane said. The driver, identified as Margar Margaryan, 22, and his passenger, Aram Basmadjyan, 24, were taken to Antelope Valley Hospital.

Investigators do not think that alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash, Faciane said.