JAMUL, Calif. (AP) - The chairman of the Jamul Indian Village and longtime tribal activist has been killed in a motorcycle accident.

Police said William C. Mesa was killed when his motorbike hit a power pole just before 5 p.m. Saturday on Lyons Valley Road in Jamul, east of San Diego.

The 57-year-old retired El Cajon police officer was known for championing a decade-long effort to build a casino on the tribe's 6-acre reservation.

He served in various tribal leadership positions, including police chief, gaming commissioner, councilman and chairman.
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Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune,
http://www.signonsandiego.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-07-06-08 1338EDT