Crime & Safety
Irvine Motorcyclist Perishes In Classic Car Collision
One was killed in an Orange County pileup on the 5 Freeway Sunday when a classic car collided with a motorcycle and one other vehicle.

IRVINE, CA — Drivers in Irvine witnessed an out of control crash where an Irvine classic car driver collided into a motorcycle and one other vehicle. The motorcyclist was fatally injured in the crash which occurred on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway in Irvine.
The collision was reported at 6:55 p.m. Sunday on the northbound 5 Freeway at Culver Drive, the California Highway Patrol reported
Chad Kidder, 45, of Irvine, triggered the three-vehicle crash when he lost control of his classic 1968 Pontiac Firebird as he was driving onto the freeway from Culver Drive and the car struck a curb at the merging point, according to CHP Officer Tino Olivera.
Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
CHP investigators said speed appeared to be a factor, but the cause of the crash remained under investigation.
The Firebird veered in front of the motorcyclist, whose 1997 Triumph slammed into the Pontiac. A 2016 Mazda CX5 then crashed into both vehicles, the CHP reported.
Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The 48-year-old victim, whose name was withheld pending family notification, was pronounced dead at Orange County Global Medical Center.
The HOV and fast and slow lanes were closed for about two hours during the investigation.
City News Service, Patch editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.
Shutterstock Photo
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.