1 Dies, Motorcycle Crumbles in Collision With SUV in Oceanside

A motorcyclist died Tuesday in a collision with an SUV at an Oceanside intersection.

The 27-year-old motorcycle rider crashed at Mission Avenue and North Coast Highway.

Oceanside Police Officers were parked near the intersection at approximately 2:30 a.m. when they heard the engine of the motorcycle approaching at a high-rate of speed, investigators said.

They say the 2011 Jeep Patriot, was stopped at a red light at westbound Mission Ave and Coast Hwy. The light turned green and the SUV began to turn left.

When officers looked up, the motorcycle, a 2005 Suzuki, failed to stop for the red signal, police said, and struck the front of the Jeep.

The impact of the crash spun the SUV around about 90 degrees causing major damage, ripping off the front end of the vehicle.

The motorcycle shattered into pieces.

The speedometer and rear view mirror of the bike were found a block away from the collision.

"Obviously the motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycle and he came to rest about 40 feet north of the intersection,” said Oceanside PD Sgt. Ignacio Lopez.

The motorcyclist was declared dead at the scene.  The 30-year-old woman driving the SUV was uninjured, police said.

He was identified by Oceanside Police as Joshua Ryan Gatter.

Officers say it is unknown if alcohol was involved, however, based on the preliminary investigation, it appears that speed may have been a factor.

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