June 1, 2007, Downtown – A man who stole a motorcycle from a 7-Eleven parking lot and sped through a red light and into a Volkswagen at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue Thursday morning was killed on impact, Santa Monica Police Lt. Alex Padilla reported yesterday.
The 5:40 a.m. fatal crash came after the motorcyclist stole a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle from the convenience store lot at 1630 Santa Monica Boulevard. Police said that witnesses reported he rode south on 4th Street at speeds over 60 mph and ignored traffic lights. At 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, the motorcycle broadsided a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg that was crossing the intersection westbound with the green light.
The 49-year-old Caucasian motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The 29-year-old woman who was driving the Volkswagen suffered minor injuries and was taken to UCLA/Santa Monica Hospital where she was treated and released. As of this morning, the specific identity of the decedent had not been released by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office pending confirmation of next-of-kin notification.
Police said that further investigation revealed that the man driving the motorcycle was on parole with an outstanding felony warrant. “He had priors for grand theft auto, receiving stolen property, evading arrest and narcotic violations,” said Lt. Padilla.
