Coroner IDs Temecula Man Killed In Ortega Highway Motorcycle Crash

TEMECULA, CA — The Riverside County coroner's office identified a Temecula man who died in a motorcycle crash off Ortega Highway - State Route 74 -on Saturday in Lake Elsinore.

The coroner's office spokesperson said that James Jones, 56, of Temecula, died at the scene where his motorcycle crashed.

According to California Highway Patrol reports, Jones was riding his 2021 BMW K1600 GTL motorcycle at an undetermined speed on eastbound SR-74.

Just before 6:45 p.m. "Jones allowed his motorcycle to "drift off to the right of the eastbound traffic lane," according to CHP officer Mike Lassig. The motorcycle "struck an embankment," throwing Jones from the motorcycle and into westbound traffic lanes.

California Highway Patrol officers and Cal Fire/Riverside County Firefighters arrived at the crash site just before 7 p.m. on the Ortega Highway just west of Grand Avenue.

Jones had already succumbed to his injuries, they said.

It is unknown if any other vehicles were involved in the crash.

California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.