Motorcyclist dies after colliding with SUV in Huntington Beach

A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday in a collision with an SUV in Huntington Beach.

Officers were sent at about 5:30 a.m. to investigate a crash at Newland Street and Talbert Avenue involving a red Kawasaki motorcycle and a white Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.

“Upon arrival, officers found the motorcycle rider, a 33-year-old male from Westminster, down in the roadway,” police said.

The victim was identified as 33-year-old Brett Wayne Goucher of Westminster, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The preliminary investigation found the motorcyclist was traveling southbound on Newland Street north of Talbert when the bike struck the rear of the Volkswagen.

Goucher was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The driver of the Volkswagen, a 57-year-old Garden Grove man, remained at the scene as required. He sustained no injuries and cooperated with investigators, who do not believe he was impaired at the time of the crash.

“It is unknown if impairment was a factor with the motorcycle rider,” police said.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or events leading up to it was urged to contact HBPD traffic investigator Vishal Rattanchandani at (714) 536-5231.