OXNARD : Car Going Wrong Way Kills Cyclist

A car traveling in the wrong direction on an Oxnard street collided with a motorcycle Wednesday afternoon, killing the cycle’s driver, police said.

Jason Roberts, 23, of Oxnard died at St. John’s Regional Medical Center after being thrown from his motorcycle, said Sgt. John Crombach of the Oxnard Police Department. The coroner’s office said an autopsy report will be available today.

Crombach said Roberts and passenger Sammy Bass, 38, of Oxnard were traveling east on Via Del Norte and tried to pass a large tractor-trailer rig.

“The roadway in that area makes a sweeping turn to the right, and Roberts did not observe a tan Cadillac” traveling west in the eastbound lanes of the freeway, Crombach said. The motorcycle struck the front of the Cadillac, ejecting Roberts and Bass. After ricocheting off the vehicle, the motorcycle became trapped under the truck and was dragged along the highway until it burst into flames, he said. Bass landed in the dirt on the side of the road and was taken to St. John’s. A hospital spokeswoman said he is in stable condition with fractured ribs and multiple bruises.

Nicholas Keil, 74, of Santa Paula was driving the Cadillac. He sustained minor injuries and was treated at St. John’s and released, Crombach said.

No charges have been filed, and an investigation is continuing.