Details Released In Fatal Ortega Highway Crash

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A motorcyclist killed over the weekend on the Ortega Highway after colliding head-on into oncoming traffic has been identified by the Riverside County Coroner's Bureau.

Jeremy Bell, 50, of Garden Grove died in the crash that was reported at 5:12 p.m. Saturday, 1 mile east of the Lookout Roadhouse restaurant in Lake Elsinore, the coroner reported.

Bell was riding eastbound on the highway at approximately 60 mph on a Kawasaki dirt bike when he attempted to pass a vehicle ahead of him by crossing the solid double-yellow lines into opposing traffic, the California Highway Patrol reported.

A 40-year-old San Juan Capistrano man driving westbound on the highway at approximately 40 mph in a Hyundai sedan saw the motorcyclist coming at him but could not avoid a collision.

Bell tried to brake, but struck the Hyundai head-on, according to the CHP. He was ejected from his bike and pronounced dead at the scene 15 minutes later.

The Hyundai driver was uninjured and no other vehicles were involved in the fatal wreck.

The Temecula Area CHP office was investigating the incident. Officer Mike Lassig said motorists should "never cross over solid double-yellow lines."