Last Updated on April 27, 2021 by CCAR Staff
LAKE ELSINORE — A 50-year-old motorcyclist who was killed in a collision on the Ortega (74) Highway just west of Lake Elsinore slammed into a sedan while trying to pass another car ahead of him, authorities said Monday.
Coroner officials said Jeremy Bell of Garden Grove died at the scene of the head-on crash, which occurred about 5:20 p.m. Saturday near the Lookout turnout on the 74.
Bell was riding his 2018 Kawasaki KX motorcycle on the two-lane corridor when he encountered a slower moving vehicle, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Lassig. He said the motorcyclist was going roughly 60 mph and attempted to go around the car, crossing over double yellow lines into the opposing traffic lane.
The motorcycle collided head-on in the westbound traffic lane with a 2015 Hyundai Elantra, according to Lassig, who said Bell was thrown from his motorcycle onto the pavement, suffering catastrophic injuries.
Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The other motorist was not injured.
The highway was fully closed for three hours while a preliminary investigation was conducted and the wreckage was removed.
“The CHP would like to remind all motorists to never cross over solid double yellow lines,” a CHP statement said.
