23-Year-Old Murrieta Man Killed In Jefferson Avenue Crash

MURRIETA, CA — A crash Thursday that shut down Jefferson Avenue in Murrieta killed a local motorcyclist, according to authorities.

Mason Penticoff, 23, of Murrieta died in the crash that was reported at 6:10 a.m., according to the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Bureau.

Penticoff was riding a motorcycle south on Jefferson Avenue in the #1 lane when a minivan pulled out of a private driveway from the west side of the road, south of Guava Street. The minivan driver was attempting to turn left onto northbound Jefferson Avenue, according to a Murrieta Police Department press release.

Penticoff smashed into the driver's side of the minivan and died moments later, about 1,500 feet south of the Guava Street traffic signal, according to police and the coroner.

The minivan driver was sent to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Murrieta police Lt. Jeremy Durrant.

Murrieta police are continuing to investigate the crash cause. Anyone with information about the incident, and who has not spoken to investigators, is asked to contact Murrieta Police Traffic Investigator Anthony Datil at 951-461-6397 or adatil@murrietaca.gov, or Traffic Bureau Sgt. Ontario Williams at 951-461-6360 or owilliams@murrietaca.gov.

Jefferson Avenue was closed between Guava and Fig streets during the crash investigation. At 10:37 a.m., Murrieta police posted an update on social media letting the community know the roadway was reopened.

Jefferson Avenue is often used as an alternative route for north/south commuters who look to avoid Interstate 15 traffic.