Two People Killed in Crash During Los Angeles Charity Motorcycle Ride

LOS ANGELES – Two people were killed and at least two others were injured Sunday in a pair of accidents on a southern California freeway as a charity motorcycle ride took place, The Los Angeles Times reported.

It was not immediately known if any of the victims were participating in the annual Love Ride, a fundraiser for autism research. The accidents "happened in the right place, but we can't be sure they were part of the ride," Deputy Ed Jacobs with the California Highway Patrol said.

The first accident occurred at 10:24am local time on the Golden State Freeway near the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Jacobs said.

Two motorcycles and several cars were involved, and at least two motorcyclists were injured. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

The first accident led to a traffic tie-up that may have contributed to the second, in which a motorcycle crashed into a truck at around 11:12am, Jacobs said.

The driver of the motorcycle and his female passenger, who were not identified, died at the scene.

Three northbound lanes on the Golden State Freeway were closed for more than three hours due to the accidents.