Motorcyclist Dies in Collision With Jeep on Coast Highway in Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, CA: A motorcyclist died early Tuesday in a crash on Coast Highway in Oceanside, according to police.

The 27-year-old victim, identified as Joshua Ryan Gatter, was driving a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle when he collided with a 2011 Jeep Patriot just before 2:30 a.m. at the intersection of Coast Highway and Mission Avenue, Oceanside police Sgt. Ignacio Lopez stated in a news release.

"The collision was witnessed by the officers, who were in the area," Lopez said. "The officers said they could hear a motorcycle northbound Coast Highway at a high rate of speed by the sound of the engine."

The Jeep had been stopped at a red light at westbound Mission Avenue and Coast Highway, according to the sergeant. When the signal turned green, the Jeep began entering the intersection to make a left turn.

"The motorcycle ... failed to stop for the red signal and entered the intersection," Lopez said. "The Suzuki struck the front of the Jeep causing the motorcyclist to be ejected."

Gatter died at the scene from his injuries. His next of kin was notified of his death by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office.

The driver of the Jeep did not suffer injuries.

"The driver of the Jeep was interviewed on scene and released," Lopez said. "Based on the preliminary investigation it is unknown if alcohol was a factor in the collision, however, it appears that speed may have been."

The Oceanside Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team was continuing its investigation of the fatal collision. Anyone with information that may be helpful in the investigation was asked to call Accident Investigator David Paul at 760-435-4431.

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