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2 killed in Lancaster traffic crash [updated]

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The fatal crash happened around 8:30 a.m. Saturday. July 30, at 40th Street West at Newgrove Street. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
The fatal crash happened at 40th Street West and Newgrove Street. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
LANCASTER – A motorcyclist and a front seat passenger in a vehicle were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Lancaster Saturday night, authorities said.

The fatal crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. July 30, at 40th Street West at Newgrove Street, according to a news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

“The driver of a 2003 Toyota Prius was travelling southbound on 40th Street West and was making a left turn to travel eastbound on Newgrove Street,” the news release states. “A motorcyclist was northbound 40th Street West. The vehicle and motorcycle collided in the intersection.”

The passenger in the front right seat, 19-year-old Ioanna Mipsinga of Lancaster, was killed in the crash, according to Detective Michael Politano and the coroner’s office.

A motorcyclist died in the crash. [LUIS MEZA]
A motorcyclist died in the crash. [LUIS MEZA]
The motorcyclist — who was not identified — also died, Politano said.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation.  Any witnesses to the collision are encouraged to contact the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station, Traffic Detail at 661-948-8466.

UPDATE 8/2/16: The deceased motorcyclist has been identified as 28-year-old Joseph Warton of Lancaster, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

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Filed Under: Lancaster

50 comments for "2 killed in Lancaster traffic crash [updated]"

  1. My God bless both families ironically I hear that both of the deceased; young women and young man happen to be a twin. I know things change dramatically for the living so twin. Hopefully the living twin can find peace and friendship from one another.

  3. Our prayers are with both families, may God cover you with his everlasting love and comfort your hearts during this heartbreaking time. This loss is to great to understand but God has a plan and he will provide the strength to get through. Please know that churches from all over the Antelope Valley are praying for you.

  4. Our consolation is in the word of God, Isaiah. 57:1-2.May the Lord give the both families the hearts to bear this great lost. Rest in peace my daughter.

  5. I went to high school with the motorcyclist that passed away. He has a twin brother. Such an odd coincidence that the passenger that died in the Toyota was a twin as well.
    Either way, a horrific accident. Prayers for peace for both familes. ❤

  8. Does anyone know the full name of the motorcyclist? This article should have been updated by now.

      • I’m sorry for your loss my prayers are with you and his family. My husband worked with Joe and everyday I’d always see him happy, smiling, and cheerful he would always say hi. This is very sad all because of someone not paying attention I really hope it wasn’t because the occupants of the vehicle were on their phone or something. I pray the Lord comforts both families during this difficult time.

        • She was a very nice young lady, I’m sure he was too..somebody wasn’t paying attention but we don’t know who..its not nice to speculate on who’s fault it was..just pray for both families to heal from this situation.. Ionna(Joanna) was very sweet and kind and active in my moms church..my kids will always remember her from one if the last times they hung out at a church camping retreat.. I know her twin and parents as well as church members are completely devastated by this tragic accident.
          Prayers to both families well all families affected by this tragedy..may God rest your souls and heal us all

          • According to officials, Warton, a Lancaster resident, was riding north on 40th West Street when a 2003 Toyota Prius attempted to make a left turn into his path from southbound traffic on Newgrove Street. The motorcycle collided with the car on the front passenger side and killed both Warton and Mipsinga, the front passenger in the car. Details about the identity or condition of the driver are not being released at this time.

          • @CW Just because the driver of the Prius turned does not indicate cause. Was he at an unsafe speed. When someone goes 20 over the limit its hard to determine how fast they are going and how soon they will arrive, at 55mph her turn could be safe but at 75mph it is not but where she is she can not determine he is speeding and next thing you know BAM. Also he could be doing 55mph and she just flat out didn’t look.

            The cause has not been determined, only the outcome.

    • Yes his name is James Warton. He was 28 years old and was a Wild Land Firemen. My Grandson graduated with him several years ago from the academy.
      Please pray for my grandson Cameron. He just left to go out to fight a fire in Unity, Oregon on the border of Oregon and Idaho.

  9. I’m crushed. These beautiful twins were in an English class I taught two years ago. They left such a mark on my heart and Lancaster High School due to their grace and beauty from the inside. Their mom is a precious woman. I’m stunned and saddened. Our entire Eagle family has lost an incredible young woman who had such high potential. They visited family in Greece and Europe over summer and my husband and I had the pleasure of seeing them at a local restaurant just before they left. They were gracious, loving, and beyond their years in responsibility and intelligence. Ekaterina, if you see this, I love you and will visit you as soon as possible. To your mom, I’m praying for your beautiful family. God is all around you and holding you. My best to all of you.
    Cheryl Hulgan
    LnHS English teacher

  10. From the forced of the impact and the damaged to the car one thing is certain, that the driver of the motorcycle was exceeding the speed of 100 mph, so allowing no chance to car driver to see him at all.
    Usually cars are intercepting or cut the cyclist path way but in this case it does not seem the case.
    I am sure that expert Lancaster police will soon verify this tragic accident which resulted in the death of two young people.
    My sincere condolences to their families.
    Nicos Savvides Sr. Mechanical Engineer

    • And you’re the expert on this how? Just by the damage really You saying that is like me saying that it’s obvious these girls in the car were on their phones not paying attention because there is no way they wouldn’t have seen the rider because nothing was obstructing their view.

      • Look at impact tests at different speeds. at 55mph that car would not have been that badly damaged. Don’t be blind watch more youtube and watch a few more accidents at different speeds. When someone is speeding it is hard to determin ETA at 55mph that turn is safe and plenty of room but if he was speeding his ETA would be a blink of an eye.

  11. From the forced of the impact and the damaged to the car one thing is certain, that the driver of the motorcycle was driving more than 100 mph, so giving no chance to car driver to see him at all.
    Usually cars are intercepting or cut the cyclist way but in this case it does not seem the case.
    i am sure that experts police will soon verify this tragic accident which gave two young peoples death.
    My sincere condolences to their families
    NICOS SAVVIDES SR. MECHANICAL ENGINEER (SURVEYOR BUREAU VERITAS).

  12. This is a horrible accident that left two families completely devastated. We all need to post words of encouragement and kindness for the families as they are in need of love and support. Let’s stop making our own assumptions and leave it up to the deputies to decide the cause, one thing for sure this was a horrific accident that took the lives of two amazing individuals and left two other young people in critical condition regardless of the cause it will not change the pain felt by the families so please post positive thoughts and prayers in support of the families.

  13. Get it stright all you [removed] accidents are accidents and this is a loss of probably two great families I went to high school with the young lady who was taken fact is people shouldn’t point fingers or blame or even argue just send many prayers to both families.

  14. I am close to this horrible accident and the beautiful girl who died and her poor twin who was driving. This was simply a tragic accident that has left 2 families devastated. As often the case, sometimes you just can’t tell how fast the motorcycle is actually coming down the road.

  15. Does anyone ,now who was the motorcycle driver was? It looks li,e my brothers and I can’t find him?

  16. There was NO traffic light at the intersection. If the motorcyclist had been running from a police officer, the sheriff report would have stated that. I knew the young man riding the motorcycle. He was a wonderful person with a kind heart and beautiful soul. This was a tragic and terrible “accident.” The Prius turned left in front of the motorcyclist. I’m sure as what is generally the case, the driver of the car simply did not see the motorcycle. Two young people lost their lives Saturday night and this is a devastating loss to those families and friends.

  17. There is no traffic light at Newgrove on 40th, thus it would appear to be the fault of the driver for making what is an all-too-common error in misjudging the distance of a motorcycle. I ride a motorcycle assume every car making a left from the opposite direction is going to do this so can be prepared to avoid them should it actually occur. Definitely a tragedy no matter what the curcumstances that caused it however.

    • This misjudgment can also come from him speeding. Don’t act like people on these types of bikes don’t speed.

  19. The motorcycle was running from a cop car, hence why he was going so fast. 2 people killed because one didn’t want a speeding ticket.

    • Nah it’s not this one, the one were the motorcyclist was running from the Lancaster Sheriff is the one where he crashed into a patrol car on Division and Avenue J-5
      The patrol car was also making a left turn to go south on Division and the motorcyclist was going north. Both the deputy and motorcyclist were OK!

    • Get your facts straight before you speak wrong accident, he wasnt running from any police.. Ignorance I swear

  21. The cause of the collision was stated in the article. The Prius turned left in front of the motorcycle.

    • Nick, that is what happened. However, it is unknown what the cause is.

      For example, if there is a traffic light at that intersection, did one of the vehicles go when they shouldn’t? That would be a cause. Perhaps the car proceeded through the green light without yielding to the motorcyclist (thus causing the accident), or perhaps the motorcyclist ran a redlight while the car had a green arrow (thus causing the accident). These are just examples, neither of which are necessarily the cause.

      • Wake up JHB.

        The cause of the accident was the Prius made a left hand turn no ifs or buts about it

        • A motorcycle driving at a high rate of speed (like often happens in this valley) on a surface street can be hard to see at night.

          Though the Prius driver may have been at fault by default, a good investigation will be able to determine other factors such as speed, visibility, etc. The motorcyclist may still be partially at fault based on the factor of speed, etc.

      • JHB – If you would Google map an intersection before making blind assumptions, it would save you and us all the stupid speculation.