31-year-old Motorcyclist Killed after Colliding with Pickup Truck

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, a 31-year-old man died after crashing his motorcycle into a pickup truck that pulled in front of him in Alhambra, California, on Friday morning.

No Charges Filed against Pickup Driver

Eric Kawai, 31, drove his motorcycle on Interstate 10 eastbound at approximately 11:50 a.m. when the fatal collision occurred. A 19-year-old pickup truck driver veered across a double-white line between the freeway and express lanes, cutting in front of Kawai’s motorcycle.

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that Kawai crashed into the rear of the pickup truck. Kawai received treatment at a hospital but died shortly after. The 19-year-old pickup driver and three other passengers did not suffer from injuries in the wreck.

Police detained the driver but did not arrest or cite him, reports The San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Motorcycle Crash Statistics

The following information is provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):

• 4,295 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2014.
• Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.
  • Only 19 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use by all riders.
• Per mile traveled in 2014, the number of deaths on motorcycles was over 27 times the number in cars.