Motorcyclist significantly injured in Burbank crash

A 76-year-old Los Angeles man was significantly injured Tuesday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle at Buena Vista Street and Alameda Avenue Tuesday afternoon, shutting down the intersection for about 30 minutes, police said.

Shortly after 3 p.m., Arthur Apelson was traveling north on Buena Vista in a Honda Shadow 650 and attempting to make a left turn onto Alameda Avenue when he collided with a 26-year-old Burbank man in a four-door Mazda 6, Burbank police Sgt. Darin Ryburn said.

Apelson sustained a severed right thumb and a fractured right femur and was taken to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center, Ryburn said.

“It appears to be an unfortunate accident,” Ryburn said.

Ryburn said the driver of the Mazda, Matt Black, was traveling south on Buena Vista through the intersection and seemed unable to avoid the collision. Ryburn also said Apelson, who was turning left, would have to yield to through traffic.

Neither party was not under the influence of alcohol, he added.

No citations have been issued, and the matter remains under investigation, police said.

-- Maria Hsin, Times Community News

Photo: Burbank police investigate the scene of the crash on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2012. Credit: Ross A. Benson