Fatal Ortega Highway Crash Claims Life Of Prius Driver: Road Closed To Recover Car

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — A Thursday afternoon collision between a Prius and pickup truck collision on the Ortega Highway (Route 74) near San Juan Capistrano left a Lake Forest man dead, authorities reported.

The California Highway Patrol has closed the entire Ortega (74) Highway between San Juan Capistrano and Lake Elsinore at noon to conduct a wreckage recovery operation related to a fatal crash, CHP said.

The CHP says that the closure is likely to last about two hours, though it could go as long as four.

"The Prius driver was pronounced dead at the scene after being cut out of the wreckage," according to Capt. Larry Kurtz of the Orange County Fire Authority.

The driver was identified by the Orange County coroner's office as 69-year-old Lake Forest resident, Mike Madigan.

The other driver suffered only minor injuries, according to the OCFA.

California Highway Patrols incident log stated that the Prius may have crossed into the path of the oncoming truck though the crash remains under investigation.

Both vehicles went over the side of the highway, also known as state Route 74, at just before 4:45 p.m. Wednesday about 5 miles east of Interstate 5, authorities said.