Driver allegedly hits motorcyclist in Glendale

A Glendale motorist was arrested Wednesday night after he allegedly ran a red light and struck a motorcyclist while under the influence of drugs, police said.

The motorist, Ivan Ramirez, 30, was taken into custody about 6:30 p.m. on suspicion of DUI and causing non-life-threatening injuries to the motorcyclist, according to police Sgt. Mike Glassick.

Ramirez was reportedly driving north on Glendale Avenue in a 2000 Chevy pickup truck while the motorcyclist, who was riding a Harley Davidson, was making a left on to east Doran Street.

A witness waiting to making a right turn from North Glendale onto Doran told police Ramirez drove through the red light intersection and struck the motorcyclist, Glassick said.

A police officer arrived at the crash and immediately rendered aid the motorcyclist, who complained of pain and was taken to a local hospital, Glassick said. Ramirez was not injured in the crash, he added.

An officer reported getting a whiff of marijuana as he approached the car and soon discovered the drug in the center console of Ramirez’s truck, Glassick said.

Ramirez told police he had a certificate to legally carry medical marijuana, and reportedly admitted to using the drug at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Glassick said.

Drug recognition experts in the Police Department’s DUI team responded to the scene and determined Ramirez was under the influence, Glassick added.

Ramirez remained in police custody Thursday in lieu of $100,000 bail.

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