A 29-year-old Helendale man died after crashing a dirt bike into a parked SUV in a residential neighborhood over the weekend, officials said.
Weston Starnes died in the crash, which took place shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, March 14, on Cumberland Lane, just west of Corona Drive, according to San Bernardino County coroner and California Highway Patrol officials.
“The preliminary investigation revealed [Starnes] was riding a blue Yamaha YZ250 at an undetermined rate of speed on Cumberland Lane westbound, west of Corona Drive, approaching an unoccupied parked gray Ford Explorer,” the CHP said in a written statement. “For reasons still under investigation, the rider of the Yamaha crashed into the rear of the Ford Explorer.”
Starnes died from his injuries at the scene, officials said.
“Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash,” according to the statement.
The investigation was ongoing.
An online fundraiser was established to help Starnes’ family with funeral expenses.
“my family experienced an unimaginable loss when my beloved grandson, Weston Starnes, tragically died in a dirt bike accident,” according to grandmother Sandra Cooper. “Weston was so dear to me, and we shared a close bond that I will always cherish. His passing has left a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.”
Starnes’ mother was left heartbroken, as well as financially challenged, by the sudden loss, Cooper said.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information, was asked to contact Officer F. De Santiago of the CHP’s Victorville Area Office at (760) 241-1186.
(This story has been updated with additional information.)
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Helendale man killed in dirt bike crash
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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