Motorcyclist dies in crash with semi truck

LUDLOW — A man died after his motorcycle hit a semi tractor trailer on Interstate 40 Monday evening.

David Frazelle, 29, of Hawthorne, was eastbound on the freeway near Ludlow at about 6:05 p.m., riding a 2008 Honda 600 RR motorcycle when he struck the rear end of the truck, according to reports from the California Highway Patrol and the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner’s Department. Paramedics pronounced Frazelle dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi truck was uninjured.

CHP Officer Taj Johnson said, based on the truck driver’s statement, the truck did not slow or stop suddenly. It was unclear why Frazelle failed to slow down as he approached the rear of the truck. CHP is investigating the incident.

Both drivers were using safety equipment, according to the CHP report.

Johnson said motorcycle accidents are rare compared to other vehicle wrecks in the Barstow area. Motorcyclists can avoid accidents by avoiding sudden stops and starts, anticipating cross traffic, staying out of the blind spots of other vehicles, and postponing trips during bad weather, he said.

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