Banning Man Killed In Mountain Center Crash

BANNING, CA -- A Banning man was killed this week in a Mountain Center crash. Thai Yang, 40, of Banning, was killed while driving northbound on State Route 243 at Mile Marker 1.25 around 12:48 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Riverside Coroner's Office.

California Highway Patrol Officer Darren Meyer said Yang was on a 2009 Yamaha headed southbound on 243 when he failed to negotiate a "sweeping right hand curve in the roadway" and ended up crossing into oncoming traffic.

Vincent Brooks, 26, of Mountain Center was in a Ford F-150 pickup going northbound on 243 and encountered the motorcyclist in his lane but had no time to maneuver, impacting the bike at an unknown speed, Meyer said.

Meyer said Yang was hurled onto the highway, suffering catastrophic injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Brooks was not hurt.

According to Meyer, the rider was helmeted but was not licensed to drive a motorcycle.

Investigators were working to determine if alcohol or drugs played a part in the crash.

--City News Service contributed to this report/Photo via Shutterstock