A 19-year-old woman from Anaheim is dead and a 20-year-old man from Anaheim is in critical condition after they were involved in a traffic accident on the Gerald Desmond Bridge on Tuesday evening, police said.
Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officers dispatched to the area at about 6:27PM regarding an injury traffic collision, the LBPD said in a statement.
Arriving officers found that a 2003 Suzuki GSXR 1000 motorcycle with two riders had collided with the wall on the overpass from eastbound Ocean Boulevard to the northbound 710 Freeway.
Police found through an investigation that the male motorcycle driver and female passenger were traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Ocean Boulevard over the Gerald Desmond Bridge.
“The driver took the northbound 710 Freeway overpass where he was unable to maintain control of the motorcycle and collided with the wall on their right side,” police said. “The collision ejected both riders off the motorcycle and over the wall of the overpass onto Ocean Boulevard.”
The driver came to rest on the shoulder of the westbound lanes of Ocean Boulevard, and the passenger fell on the eastbound lanes of Ocean Boulevard. She was immediately struck by a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was traveling eastbound, police said.
The motorcycle came to rest on the overpass about 620 feet past where the riders were ejected.
The passenger, who was identified as a 19-year-old female resident of Anaheim, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the motorcycle has been identified as a 20-year-old male resident of Anaheim. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Police said he had a valid license to drive a motorcycle and had current insurance.
Identities of both the driver and passenger are being withheld pending next of kin, police said.
The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee that struck the female passenger was identified as a 68-year-old male resident of Long Beach, who did not sustain any injuries.
Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department Collision Investigation Detail, Detective Brian Watt at 562-570-5520. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org