Former Mayor Of Artesia Dies In Motorcycle Crash Near Ojai

ARTESIA, CA – Former Artesia Mayor John Carlos Martins was killed Friday morning while riding a motorcycle in a crash with a car near Ojai in Ventura County. Martins, 54, was with a group of bikers on a weekend ride headed for the San Luis Obispo area Friday morning. At about 8:20 a.m., he crossed the double- yellow line on Highway 150 and hit a Nissan Altima head on, the California Highway Patrol said.

It's not known what caused Martins to sweep into the oncoming car.

Paramedics took Martins to Ventura County Medical Center, where he died from his injuries at about 9:40 a.m., the Hews Media Group said.

No alcohol or drugs were suspected in the crash and the driver of the Altima remained at the scene, the media group reported.

Martins served on the Artesia City Council from 2001 to 2003 and was elected mayor on March 4, 2004, where he served until Nov. 10, 2010, the Portugese American Journal reported.

He had been an appointee on the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Los Angeles since 2015. Services are pending.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock