San Juan Capistrano Driver Involved In Fatal Ortega Highway Crash

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — A motorcyclist was killed over the weekend on the Ortega Highway after colliding head-on into oncoming traffic, according to authorities. The Riverside County Coroner's Bureau identified him as Jeremy Bell, 50, of Garden Grove.

Bell was struck by a driver who was heading toward San Juan Capistrano, and died in the crash at approximately 5:15 p.m. Saturday, the coroner reported.

On Saturday, Bell was riding his Kawasaki dirt bike motorcycle eastbound on the highway at speeds of approximately 60 mph, the California Highway Patrol reported. He attempted to pass a car ahead of him by crossing the solid double-yellow lines into opposing traffic.

Meanwhile, a 40-year-old San Juan Capistrano man was driving westbound on the highway at approximately 40 mph in a Hyundai sedan. That driver, who was not named, saw the motorcyclist coming at him but could not avoid a collision, CHP says.

Bell attempted to brake but still struck the Hyundai head-on and was ejected from his dirt bike, according to the CHP.

Bell was pronounced dead at the scene 15 minutes later.

The Hyundai driver, who was not named, 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."

Patch Staffer Toni McCallister, Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.