Rider Killed When Motorcycle Slams Into Stalled Car

TUSTIN —  A 26-year-old San Juan Capistrano man was killed early Monday when his motorcycle struck a car which was stalled in the fast lane of the Santa Ana Freeway.

James Alexander Stone was thrown across the center divider and into oncoming traffic about 4:30 a.m. Monday, the California Highway Patrol reported.

“For unknown reasons, the gentleman driving the stalled 1968 Chevy Nova lost control of his car and it completely stopped in the fast lane,” CHP Officer Angel Johnson said. “At that point the driver got out of the car and tried to direct traffic around his car, but unfortunately Mr. Stone was driving at a fast speed and did not see the car in time.”

Stone, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown into the southbound lanes where he was struck by several cars, Johnson said.

The drivers of the cars that hit the motorcyclist did not stop, but Johnson said she doubts that they knew what they hit because it was dark.

Lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides of the Santa Ana Freeway were closed for about two hours.

CHP officials are asking anyone with any information about the accident to contact Officer Phil Thaler at (714) 547-8311.