1 Dead In Ortega Highway Crash: CHP

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A man died following a crash off the side of the Ortega Highway near Lake Elsinore Tuesday night, the California Highway Patrol reports. The 28-year-old was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle, suffering fatal injuries.

The incident happened just after 7 p.m. Tuesday along a sweeping curve of the eastbound side of the highway, just west of El Cariso Village, according to CHP Officer Mike Lassig.

"The vehicle left the roadway on the south edge and it traveled down a steep embankment," Lassig told Patch on Wednesday. "The male driver... was not wearing a seat belt and during the traffic collision down the embankment, he was ejected."

A person witnessed "a large amount of dust" and called 911 to report that someone may have crashed. The CHP and Riverside County Fire Department headed to the scene and soon found that the 2010 Toyota Corolla had landed approximately 100 feet down the side of the roadway, according to fire and CHP reports.

The man was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar with serious injuries. He was pronounced deceased a short time later, Lassig said.

At this time, the crash is still under investigation and it's unknown whether speed, alcohol or drugs played a role, according to the CHP. However, Lassig stressed the importance of seat belts.

"The CHP would like to remind all motorists to always wear seat belts; seat belts save lives," he said. "[The victim] most likely would have survived [with a seat belt on]."

SEE ALSO:

• Elsinore Snake Bite Victim Hospitalized, Fire Officials Report

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Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone