Driving motorized dirt bikes and ATVs is illegal on city streets. Mayfair resident James Ortiz ignored that law and it cost him his life on March 23, according to Philadelphia police.
Ortiz, 19, of the 4300 block of Cottman Ave., died after he veered his dirt bike from a sidewalk into the street and struck a full-size sport utility vehicle head-on. Ortiz’s passenger, a 19-year-old woman, was critically injured in the crash, which occurred on the 7200 block of Hawthorne St. at about 1:30 p.m., said police, who did not specify their specific injuries. Both were taken to Aria Health’s Torresdale Campus.
A 32-year-old man was driving the SUV, a 1996 Chevy Tahoe. He was uninjured and remained at the scene until authorities arrived. No charges have been filed. ••
