A Dangerous Sunday on Local Highways

By Mary O’KEEFE

California Highway Patrol is asking for the public’s help concerning two fatal accidents that occurred on Sunday. Both involved motorcycles; one was on the Ventura (134) Freeway, and the other on Angeles Crest Highway.

At 8:55 a.m., a 32-year-old man from Baldwin Park was driving westbound on the Ventura freeway near where it meets the Golden State (5) Freeway when he apparently lost control of his motorcycle. His vehicle struck the metal guardrail along the roadway.

“He was ejected from the vehicle,” said Officer Kevin Denmon, California Highway Patrol.

Los Angeles City Fire Department responded and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A few hours later at 1:30 p.m. on Angeles Crest Highway mile marker 63.37, a driver was on a motorcycle traveling westbound at an unknown speed when, for an unknown reason, he lost control of his vehicle.

“He was ejected from the motorcycle, striking a second victim traveling eastbound. [The second victim] was then ejected from his motorcycle,” Denmon said.

The second victim, Patrick Ramirez, 45, of San Dimas was transported to the hospital. The first victim was pronounced dead at the scene by L.A. County Coroner’s Office.

The L.A. County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the deceased as Junior Quic-Ortiz, 30, of Hawthorne.

“Quic-Ortez [death] was caused due to multiple blunt injuries,” said Lt. Fred Corral, L.A. County Coroner’s Investigation Division.