Long Beach Police Department

08/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/08/2024 01:46

TRAFFIC FATALITY – WEST ANAHEIM STREET AND HAYES AVENUE

Collision Investigation detectives are investigating an Aug. 7, 2024 fatal traffic collision which resulted in the death of a male adult.

At approximately 4:46 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of West Anaheim Street and Hayes Avenue regarding a traffic collision involving a mini motorcycle and tractor-trailer.

Upon arrival, officers located a tractor-trailer and a mini motorcycle stopped in the northbound lane of Hayes Avenue, north of West Anaheim Street. The driver of the mini motorcycle was located lying in the roadway.

Long Beach Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and determined the driver of the mini motorcycle deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2020 Kenworth Tractor-Trailer, carrying a shipping container, was traveling eastbound on Anaheim Street and made a left turn onto Hayes Avenue to travel northbound. The driver of the mini motorcycle was traveling westbound along the north curb of Anaheim Street and collided into the passenger side of the tractor-trailer as the tractor trailer was turning.

The driver of the tractor-trailer remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation.

At this time, distracted driving is being investigated as a potential factor in the collision. Speed and driving under the influence are not believed to be factors in this collision.

The driver of the of the mini motorcycle was identified as Nicholas Kusmich, a 50-year-old resident of Long Beach.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Efrain Pineda at (562) 570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 TIPS" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.