Crime & Safety

30-Year-Old Motorcycle Rider Dies In Tucson Collision With Car

Daniel Damato died at the scene Sunday. An occupant of the car was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. No charges have been filed.

Daniel Damato, 30, was killed Sunday when his motorcycle collided with a moving car in Tucson. The incident occurred at 12:35 p.m. near the intersection of E. Pima Street and N. Swan Road and also left one of the car's occupants with serious injuries.
Daniel Damato, 30, was killed Sunday when his motorcycle collided with a moving car in Tucson. The incident occurred at 12:35 p.m. near the intersection of E. Pima Street and N. Swan Road and also left one of the car's occupants with serious injuries. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)

TUCSON, AZ —A motorcycle rider was killed and the occupant of a car suffered serious injuries Sunday afternoon in a two-vehicle collision in Midtown, according to the Tucson Police Department.

Daniel Damato, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The injured occupant of the other vehicle has not been named, though authorities said the victim was transferred to Banner University Medical Center.

No charges or citations have yet been issued in connection with the incident, the TPD said.

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Police said the collision between a blue 2010 Ford Flex —with multiple occupants — and the red and black 2009 Yamaha YZFRL motorcycle occurred at approximately 12:35 p.m. near the intersection of E. Pima Street and N. Swan Road.

According to the TPD's investigation, the Ford Flex was attempting to make a left turn from southbound Swan Road onto eastbound Pima Street when it struck the motorcycle, which was going northbound on Swan Road on a green light.

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Witness statements indicated the motorcycle was weaving in and out of traffic and may have been traveling at excessive speeds at the time of the collision, police said.

According to police, a DUI officer responded to the scene and determined the driver of the Ford Flex was not impaired.

The TPD said the investigation remains ongoing.

"Failure to yield making a left turn by the Ford Flex and potential excessive speed by Mr. Damato (on the motorcycle) are the major contributing factors in the collision," the department said in a statement.

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