Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Motorcyclist Wearing Novelty Helmet Killed In Temecula Wine Country Crash
"It is unknown at this time if a proper helmet would have saved his life," CHP spokesman Nathan Baer said.
A motorcyclist donning a “novelty” helmet was killed Wednesday in a Temecula Wine Country crash.
San Diego resident Michael Witham, 65, was riding a 2000 Harley Davidson northbound on De Portola Road -- just south of Danza Del Sol Winery -- shortly after 3:30 p.m. when he veered off the road, according to a report from California Highway Patrol spokesman Nathan Baer and the Riverside County Coroner's Office.
Witham was ejected from the motorcycle and landed on a dirt shoulder; he was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar but died less than 90 minutes after the crash, Baer reported.
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Witham was wearing a non-approved novelty helmet, according to Baer.
“It is unknown at this time if a proper helmet would have saved his life,” Baer said, adding that it's unclear if drugs or alcohol were involved.
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There were no other vehicles involved in the crash and no other injuries were reported.
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