Motorcyclist dies following multi-vehicle crash on 101 Freeway in Ventura County

A motorcyclist died following a multi-vehicle crash on the 101 Freeway in Ventura County on Sunday afternoon. 

Police were dispatched to southbound lanes of the freeway, just north of California Street, at around 2:50 p.m. after receiving multiple reports of crash involving several vehicles and a motorcycle, according to a statement from the California Highway Patrol.

They arrived and found the motorcyclist, a 58-year-old man from Thousand Oaks, lying in the roadway. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later declared dead, police said. 

He has not yet been identified. 

Investigators say that the crash happened when a Volkswagen SUV slowed and came to a stop in the No. 1 lane due to traffic ahead. At the same time, a Tesla Model 3 and a BMW 330e were also slowing in other lanes. 

"As they were slowing down, an additional BMW 330i failed to observe traffic slowing in front of him and rear-ended the black BMW 330e," the CHP statement said. "The impact caused the BMW 330e to travel in a southwesterly direction, coming to a rest in the number three lane."

The BMW 330i veered in the opposite direction, colliding with a concrete center divider before ending up on the No. 1 lane, where it crashed into the Tesla, police said. 

"During the sequence of events, the black Indian Scout motorcycle approached from the rear and was unable to stop in time, striking the rear of the Tesla," CHP's release said. "The impact ejected the motorcyclist, who struck the Tesla before landing on the roadway."

No other serious injuries were reported in the crash. All lanes were reopened by 5 p.m. 

Anyone who has more information on the incident is urged to contact CHP Officer Daniel Perez, who is the investigating officer for the incident.