By Mary O’KEEFE

A 71-year-old motorcycle rider was involved in a fatal accident on the Angeles Crest Highway near Dawson Saddle on Sunday.

Richard Shumway, 71, of Yorba Linda died after he lost control of his motorcycle and collided with a guardrail, said California Highway Patrol Officer Gil Hernandez.

Hernandez said that in this area of the ’Crest the cause of most accidents involves excessive speed.

Shumway was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of death has yet to be determined, said Ed Winter, Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

On Saturday, a CVW reader was one of many motorists who were detained on the ’Crest due to a motorcycle accident. Motorists were unable to travel to and from La Cañada and Wrightwood as emergency personnel, including a helicopter, arrived to treat the injured rider.

“Upon arrival, the helicopter pilot had to choose a different landing site from the spot initially thought by those on the ground to be a possible landing zone,” the reader stated.

The helicopter landed behind a turnout. The traffic was stopped, unable to travel in either direction on the highway.

“Motorists are to be commended for their understanding, patience, and cooperation in waiting it out in order to maintain an unobstructed route for the victim to be transported from the accident site to the helicopter,” the reader stated.

“In addition, Ranger Steve from the U.S. Forest Service is to be commended for quickly securing the area and locking down traffic at this particularly dangerous curve thereby insuring the safety of everyone effected by the incident.”

  Mary Okeefe