Motorcyclist found dead from crash in Costa Mesa

A motorcyclist was found dead on the side of the road from what appeared to be a solo crash discovered by a passerby near Tewinkle Memorial Park in Costa Mesa, police said.

At 3:05 a.m. Sunday, a man turning left onto Junipero Drive from Arlington Drive noticed a motorcycle laying on the left side of the road, police said.

The victim, 29, of Snohomish, Wash., was discovered lying several feet away on the sidewalk, next to a concrete light pole. The driver called authorities who responded soon after.

Costa Mesa Fire pronounced the motorcyclist deceased at the scene, police said. The man appeared to have suffered significant enough head and neck injury, although he was clad in a full face helmet.

Based on evidence at the scene, it appeared the driver was heading south on Junipero Drive and was speeding, police said.

The motorcyclist veered right and struck the west curb, police said. He then appeared to have continued a short distance, crashing head-on into a lamppost, police said.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. The stretch of Junipero contains a number of s-type curves, and investigators believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Rob Sharpnack at (714) 754-5122.

— Kelly Strodl