Motorcyclist struck by multiple vehicles in Wednesday night crash on 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa identified

A Santa Ana man was killed Wednesday after his motorcycle collided with a vehicle on the 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa and he was thrown into a lane of traffic where he was struck by multiple vehicles, CHP officials reported.

CHP spokesman Officer Florentino Olivera said the incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. on a southbound portion of the freeway just south of the 405 Freeway. The rider, seen traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the accident, struck the rear of a 2014 Audi SUV in the No. 2 lane and was ejected from the bike onto the pavement.

The driver of the SUV immediately pulled over onto the shoulder, but the ejected motorcyclist landed in a lane of traffic where “numerous” other vehicles, not seeing him, ran over his body, Olivera said.

Erica Arellano, a supervising deputy for the Orange County coroner’s office, said the victim was identified as Adam Thomas Whalen, 34, of Santa Ana. Whalen was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:11 p.m.

Due to debris strewn across multiple lanes, CHP officers initiated a total freeway closure that lasted until 2:30 a.m. and forced southbound traffic to be temporarily rerouted, according to CHP reports.

None of the other drivers involved in Wednesday’s incident were injured and were eventually released from the scene. Olivera said the accident is a textbook example of what can happen when motorists engage in unsafe speeds.

“Slow down and get to your destination safely,” he warned. “Don’t speed — it’s not worth it.”

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