May 16, 2025

Tragic Rise in Motorcycle Fatalities in Santa Ana

News Summary

Santa Ana has experienced a surge in motorcycle-related deaths, with two separate incidents occurring within a week. Authorities are investigating the causes and emphasizing road safety. The Santa Ana Police Department is calling for public assistance in gathering information about the accidents, which have raised concerns among community members about rider and pedestrian safety.

Santa Ana

Santa Ana has seen a tragic rise in motorcycle-related fatalities with two separate incidents resulting in deaths within a week. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirms these accidents have raised concerns over road safety as investigations continue.

Fatal Collisions in One Week

On Friday morning, a man in a yellow motorcycle helmet was discovered dead at the interchange of the 22, 5, and 57 freeways in Santa Ana. The victim was found face down on the center divider of the westbound 22 Freeway at around 7:05 a.m. The age of the deceased motorcyclist has not yet been determined. Authorities issued a SigAlert at 7:31 a.m., which led to the closure of the HOV lane and lane 1 of the westbound Garden Grove Freeway due to the on-site investigation.

In efforts to locate the motorcycle involved, the transition from the eastbound 22 Freeway to the northbound 57 Freeway was also closed around 7:50 a.m. to facilitate the ongoing investigation.

Separate Weekend Incident

In a separate tragedy, a 58-year-old pedestrian named Hoang Mai Phan of Garden Grove was struck and killed by a motorcycle on Saturday evening. The accident occurred around 7 p.m. on N. Euclid Street near Hazard Avenue. Paramedics responded promptly, but Phan was declared dead at the scene. Initial reports indicate that drugs or alcohol are not believed to be contributing factors in this collision.

Another Motorcyclist Fatality Earlier in the Week

Earlier in the week, on Thursday morning, a 23-year-old motorcyclist named Tom Nunez Guadarrama lost his life in a collision at the intersection of Bristol Street and Hemlock Way. The accident took place around 6:01 a.m. when Guadarrama’s motorcycle collided with a vehicle that was turning left onto Hemlock Way. Emergency responders, including the Santa Ana Police Department and the Orange County Fire Authority, were alerted through multiple calls for help. A civilian at the scene attempted CPR until official help arrived. The driver of the vehicle stayed on the scene and is cooperating with police investigations.

Continuing Investigations

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) is actively conducting detailed investigations regarding both fatal incidents. Authorities are assessing all potential contributing factors, including possible drug or alcohol use, which may have played a role in these tragic events. They are also calling on the public for assistance, encouraging anyone who witnessed the accidents or possesses relevant information to reach out to the Santa Ana Police Department.

Community Response and Safety Concerns

The series of accidents has raised alarms among community members and local authorities regarding road safety, especially for motorcyclists and pedestrians. The Santa Ana Police Department is expected to prioritize initiatives aimed at enhancing safety measures in high-traffic areas, particularly those frequented by motorcyclists and pedestrians.

As investigations progress, the local community remains vigilant, urging all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic laws to prevent further tragedies on the roads.

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Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER

COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.

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