Motorcyclist remains in serious condition after Toa Baja crash
A 26-year-old man was ejected from his motorcycle after a driver made an improper turn and crossed into his lane on PR-867 in Toa Baja on Sunday night.
PhotoThe short version
- El Vocero reports that Orlando Guzmán Rivera, 26, was riding a 2024 Suzuki DR-Z400 when a 2019 Toyota Tacoma driver made an improper turn and invaded his lane
- Telemundo Puerto Rico reported the crash occurred Sunday night on PR-867 at kilometer 3.5 in Toa Baja, causing Guzmán Rivera to lose control, collide and be ejected
- Both outlets state the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries, was taken to a local hospital and remains in guarded condition according to the attending physician
- Police said the Toyota driver tested 0.00% blood alcohol; both vehicles were seized and the case is being investigated by Bayamón's Patrols and Highways Division
Collision details
A serious traffic accident involving a motorcyclist occurred on Sunday night on highway PR-867 at kilometer 3.5 in Toa Baja. Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that the driver of a 2019 Toyota Tacoma allegedly made an improper turn and entered the lane where 26-year-old Orlando Guzmán Rivera was traveling on a 2024 Suzuki DR-Z400 motorcycle.
According to both El Vocero and Telemundo Puerto Rico, the maneuver caused Guzmán Rivera to lose control of the handlebars, strike the truck and be ejected from the motorcycle. He sustained serious injuries as a result.
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Medical response and investigation
Paramedics responded to the scene and transported the injured motorcyclist to a hospital in the area. The attending physician told authorities that his condition was guarded, El Vocero reported.
The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was administered a breathalyzer test that returned a blood-alcohol level of 0.00 percent, according to both outlets. Agent Reinaldo Tallado of the Bayamón Patrols and Highways Division is investigating the case together with prosecutor Verónica Ortiz, who ordered both vehicles seized.
Where the sources differ
Both El Vocero and Telemundo Puerto Rico agree on the date (Sunday night), location (PR-867 km 3.5, Toa Baja), identities and ages of those involved, the sequence of events, the motorcyclist's ejection and serious injuries, the negative alcohol test result, and the seizure of both vehicles. El Vocero names the investigating agent (Reinaldo Tallado) and the prosecutor (Verónica Ortiz) while Telemundo Puerto Rico refers only to the Bayamón division taking charge of the investigation. The two reports are otherwise consistent.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the name, age or gender of the Toyota Tacoma driver. They provide no information on whether citations or charges have been filed, the exact nature of the motorcyclist's injuries, his current hospital or prognosis beyond the guarded condition, or any estimated time for completion of the investigation.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Motociclista de 26 años permanece grave tras accidente en Toa Baja
- Reporting Motociclista de 26 años permanece grave tras accidente en Toa Baja
- Reporting Motociclista sale expulsado tras ser impactado por conductora en Toa Baja
How we checked this
El Vocero and Telemundo Puerto Rico both covered the Sunday night crash in Toa Baja. Details about the motorcyclist's identity, the collision mechanics, medical outcome and negative alcohol test rest on the preliminary police investigation released to both outlets.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.