In a tragic incident on March 15, 2024, in Van Nuys, CA, a 34-year-old motorcyclist lost his life following a collision with a city bus. The accident occurred on Hazeltine Avenue near Bessemer Street in the late morning hours.
The victim, identified as Van Nuys resident Richard Leos, was operating his motorcycle when the fatal incident with a Metro G Line bus took place shortly before 11 a.m., as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department.
First responders declared Leos deceased at the accident scene. A 12-year-old passenger on the motorcycle, whose identity has not been disclosed, was critically injured and rushed to Valley Presbyterian Hospital for emergency treatment.
The increased vulnerability of motorcyclists was highlighted by last year’s traffic statistics, which counted 8,625 motorcycle crashes with 583 fatalities — a noticeable uptick of roughly 14% from the prior year. Motorcyclists are said to be 27 times more likely to lose their lives in crashes compared to passenger car occupants, for every vehicle mile traveled.
An in-depth investigation into the accident is ongoing, with authorities examining all potential contributing factors, such as driver error, vehicle impairment, and the condition of the road.
Source: The Legal Advocate