South Gate Man Dies In Ortega Highway Crash

SOUTH GATE, CA — The Ortega Highway was closed from 5:30 a.m. to approximately 9 a.m. Monday when two pickup trucks collided on the SR-74 near Gibby Road, California Highway Patrol Officers said.

A 34-year-old South Gate man was killed, and two others were taken away by ambulance.

A 22-year-old Hemet man driving a 2016 Ram truck west on the Ortega Highway, collided with an eastbound 1999 Dodge Ram truck when he crossed the double yellow line "for reasons unknown."

The other driver, of South Gate, was pronounced dead at the scene by Orange County Fire Authority, CHP officer Rafael Reynoso told Patch.

The passenger, a 30-year-old Los Angeles man inside the 1999 Dodge Ram truck, suffered traumatic injuries in the crash.

All were taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, Reynoso said.

"At this time, it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision," he said.

This report will be updated. Refresh for the latest information.