Motorcyclist killed in crash identified

Authorities on Friday identified the man who died after a seven-vehicle crash in Newport Beach on Thursday evening as Patrick Lee, 25, of Long Beach.

The motorcyclist had been taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, where he died just before 7 p.m., according to the Orange County coroner’s office.

His motorcycle and an SUV collided at 5:20 p.m. on Campus Drive at Bristol Street, according to Newport Beach police.

The five other vehicles involved in the crash were probably trying to avoid the initial collision between the motorcycle and SUV, Newport Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief Todd Knipp said.

Nobody else was seriously hurt, Knipp said.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck