Deadly Crash Closes Ortega Highway/SR-74 Between RivCo, OC

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A motorcyclist apparently driving the wrong way on a Lake Elsinore highway was killed Sunday in a head-on collision with an SUV, prompting the full closure of a thoroughfare connecting Orange and Riverside counties. The crash was reported just before 10 a.m. on the westbound State Route 74 at Tenaja Truck Trail, about 10 minutes west of the Candy Store, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The motorcycle was heading east on the westbound side of the two-lane highway when it collided with a westbound SUV, according to a CHP incident log. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

SR 74 @ the Candy Store closed in both directions between Riv & Oc line for at least 2 more hours. Use alt route #caltrans8
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) August 20, 2017

The crash prompted the CHP to close the highway in both directions while authorities cleared the roadway. However, by 11:30 a.m., one lane of traffic on the eastbound side was open, according to the CHP and Caltrans.

UPDATE: RVCO, SR-74 at Candy Store eastbound lanes now open. Westbound lanes still closed due to collision #caltrans8
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) August 20, 2017

CHP reports indicated that crews were waiting for coroner's officials to arrive at the location. That agency was expected to arrive around 12:15 p.m.

Additional details on the wreck were not immediately available.

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Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone / City News Service contributed to this report