Motorcyclist Killed by Auto; Driver Held

A motorcyclist was killed early Thursday when he was struck by a Ford Thunderbird whose driver may have been intoxicated and tried to flee the scene, police said.

The 51-year-old victim’s name was not released immediately because relatives had not been notified. Santa Ana police Sgt. Baltazar De La Riva said the man, who was wearing a helmet, was riding a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle north on Harbor Boulevard at 12:45 a.m. when he was broadsided at Warner Avenue by the car. He was thrown about 40 feet into the air and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The car’s driver, Gary Reiter, 47, of Thousand Oaks, tried to leave the scene, but officers stopped him a block away, De La Riva said.

He was treated for minor injuries at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center, then booked at the Santa Ana Jail on suspicion of manslaughter, hit-and-run driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of drugs, authorities said. Bail was set at $250,000.