04.09.2023 | 1:30 PM | FULLERTON – A chaotic crash involving a motorcycle, pedestrian, bicyclist and several vehicles left two people dead and caused a gas leak that forced residents to evacuate their homes, Sunday morning.
The multi-vehicle traffic collision involving an Audi sedan, Toyota Sienna minivan, Yamaha R6 motorcycle, a pedestrian and a bicyclist occurred Sunday morning at the intersection of Magnolia and West Flower avenues around 9:19 AM.
At the scene authorities located a telephone pole down and found the Audi had struck a front-yard fence and a residence on Magnolia, causing a gas leak.
A 70-year-old female pedestrian sustained fatal injuries in the crash and died at the scene while the motorcyclist, identified only as a 35-year-old male, was ejected from his motorcycle and rushed to an area hospital where he was also pronounced deceased.
A male bicyclist in his 30s along with the 75-year-old driver of the Toyota Sienna and his 15-year-old passenger were both transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to moderate.
Initial reports indicate that the dark grey Audi and the white Yamaha R6 motorcycle were both traveling northbound on Magnolia from Orangethorpe at a high rate of speed when they collided with a gold Toyota Sienna minivan that was making an eastbound turn onto Flower from southbound Magnolia.
The motorcycle struck the rear passenger side of the van, resulting in the ejection of the rider. The Audi struck the front passenger side of the van with such force that it veered off the roadway, hitting a bicyclist and female pedestrian who were on the east sidewalk of Magnolia. The Audi then continued to travel, ultimately colliding with a telephone pole and coming to a stop against the front of a residence on Magnolia.
Multiple residents in the surrounding area were evacuated due to the gas leak, but have since been able to return to their homes after firefighters and utility company officials shut down the gas.
Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs played a factor in the collision and Magnolia is expected to remain shut down in both directions from Orangethorpe to Valencia until at least 4:00 PM while the investigation progresses.
Anyone with information regarding the deadly collision is asked to contact Fullerton Police Traffic Accident Investigator Manes at (714) 738-6815.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Orange County Crime Stoppers by calling (855) TIP-OCCS or by visiting their website at www.occrimestoppers.org.