Motorcyclist Killed In Temecula Crash, 2nd With City Tie

TEMECULA, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has released details about a weekend crash in Temecula that left a motorcyclist dead.

It was not the only fatal weekend motorcycle crash with a Temecula tie, and the incidents occurred moments apart.

The most recent crash was reported at approximately 6:59 p.m. Saturday near Jefferson Avenue and Calle Cortez in Temecula city limits.

The sheriff's department's preliminary investigation showed a motorcyclist — whose identity was being withheld — slammed into the back of an SUV. The sheriff's department is still investigating why the motorcyclist didn't brake in time.

The rider was pronounced dead at the scene and no other injuries were reported.

"It is unknown if intoxication played a role in this collision," the sheriff's department said.

Moments prior, James Jones, 56, of Temecula crashed his motorcycle on the Ortega Highway. The coroner reported the incident occurred at approximately 6:42 p.m. Saturday, 2.2 miles west of Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore. No other injuries were reported.

The rider was pronounced dead at the scene and no other injuries were reported. Read more here: Coroner IDs Temecula Man Killed In Ortega Highway Motorcycle Crash

The Ortega Highway crash cause also remains under investigation, but the investigating agency is the California Highway Patrol.