Motorcycle rider loses control while popping wheelie, critically injuring passenger

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A motorcyclist and his passenger were both injured in Mission Beach Thursday after the rider lost control while popping a wheelie, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 11:08 p.m. when a 21-year-old man was riding his Suzuki GSX-R600 motorcycle with a 20-year-old woman in a parking lot at 700 Ventura Place, explained the San Diego Police Department.

The man was reportedly accelerating rapidly while doing a wheelie when he maneuvered to exit the parking lot, police said. At that time, his front wheel came down and he lost control of the motorcycle.

The man sustained an abrasion to his leg and the woman, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from the motorcycle. Police said she sustained a skull fracture, a fracture to her elbow and avulsions to her forehead. Her injuries are considered to be life-threatening.

The Traffic Division responded to the scene and will be handling the investigation. Anyone with information related to the inciden is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.