Man Dies In South OC Motorcycle Crash; 20-Year-Old Critically Injured

IRVINE, CA — A 23-year-old man died early Thursday and another man is in critical condition after being involved in a solo motorcycle crash, the Irvine Police Department reported.

Irvine police officers were dispatched to the area of Shady Canyon Drive and Quail Hill at 2:21 a.m. in response to reports of a motorcycle crash.

Upon arriving, authorities found two men — a 23-year-old and a 20-year-old — who were involved in the crash. The 23-year-old, later identified as Jotham Daniel Gant, of Irvine, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 20-year-old was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. His current status is not known and his identity was not released.

Authorities said that the pair were riding together on a Yamaha motorcycle just before the roundabout on Shady Canyon Drive. Two motorcycle traveled south into the landscaped roundabout and stopped, police said.

"Investigators are working to determine which rider was in control of the motorcycle," an IPD statement read. "Neither individual involved was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision."

Anyone with information that could be helpful to the ongoing investigation was asked to call the IPD at 949-724-7047.