A 60-year-old off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer and a second motorcyclist were both killed in a collision in Orange County, authorities said Monday night.
Emergency Operation Divisions Officer Kent Carter was riding his personal 2007 Suzuki motorcycle north on Santiago Canyon Road, south of Jeffrey Road in Santa Ana, about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, when his bike veered into oncoming traffic, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Carter's Suzuki collided with another motorcyclist, riding a 1999 Honda, who was traveling south on Santiago Canyon Road, police said.
Immediately following the first collision, Carter was struck a second time by a man riding a 2007 Honda motorcycle, traveling southbound on Santiago Road, along with a female passenger, police said.
The man and his passenger were ejected from their 2007 Honda motorcycle. They were treated for serious injuries and taken to a hospital.
Carter and the driver of the 1999 Honda, identified by authorities as Miles McCune, 24, of Mission Viejo, were both pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to the Orange County coroner.
The California Highway Patrol investigated the collisions.
Carter joined the LAPD on Feb. 23, 1981, working a decade on patrol in areas including Wilshire, Rampart and 77th Street. Carter's work led to position in the Training Division, where he trained thousands of officers.
In 1998, Carter was assigned to LAPD's Labor Relations Division, now under Emergency Operations Division.
Carter was a veteran labor relations officer who was responsible for Building and Trades, and worked with numerous unions across the city.
"Kent was the most gracious, warm, and considerate individual I have ever met," Lt. Andrew Neiman of Emergency Operations Division said.
"He loved his family, loved life, and was looking forward to a wonderful retirement in a year," Neiman said. "His passing will create a huge void in the department."
Carter is survived by his wife Sharon, his 27-year-old son Preston, 25-year-old daughter Courtney, and his brother Darryl Carter, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy.
