ATV driver killed in Beachwood area accident

A 37-year-old man riding an all-terrain vehicle was killed in the Beachwood area about 3 p.m Tuesday after the vehicle hit a Franklin County Water District truck, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The name of the victim has not been released, pending notification of his family or next of kin.

CHP responded to the scene and learned the victim was riding a 2013 Honda all-terrain vehicle northbound on a canal bank parallel to Drake Avenue. Meanwhile, a 1995 GMC truck driven by Shane Gunn, 18, of Merced, was traveling eastbound on a dirt road, crossing ahead of the ATV at about 5 mph, according to Officer Moises Onsurez.

For unknown reasons, the ATV rider continued at a high rate of speed and struck the right front tire of the truck. The ATV rider was ejected and landed beside the truck. The victim was taken to Mercy Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

The driver of the truck was not hurt. The crash remains under investigation.

This story was originally published January 6, 2015 at 6:10 PM with the headline "ATV driver killed in Beachwood area accident."