Anza man killed in head-on collision

TEMECULA - A 78-year-old motorcycle rider was killed in a head-on traffic collision Saturday, July 16. The accident occurred at 6:44 p.m. near the intersection of Rainbow Canyon Road, about one-half mile south of Bay Hill Drive, in Temecula, according to sheriff officials.

Emergency first responders rushed to the location after Riverside County emergency dispatchers received numerous calls from motorists reporting the fatal accident. Callers reported a motorcyclist had collided head-on with a sedan.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Temecula Police Station were the first to arrive at the accident scene and provided emergency medical care to the motorcyclist, who suffered major traumatic injuries.

Firefighters and paramedics quickly arrived and took over providing medical treatment to the motorcycle rider, who has only been identified as a male from Anza.

Paramedics transported the downed rider to Temecula Valley Hospital for further treatment. However, the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff.

Nobody else was injured as a result of the collision, according to Riverside Sheriff's Sergeant William Pratt.

"The preliminary investigation at the scene revealed the motorcyclist was traveling northbound on Rainbow Canyon Road and crossed the center divider for unknown reasons," Pratt explained. "The motorcycle struck a sedan in the opposing traffic lane."

"At this time, it is not believed drugs and/or alcohol are a factor in this collision," Pratt wrote in a press release about the fatal accident.

Rainbow Canyon Road between Bay Hill Road and Rainbow Canyon Road remained closed until 10:30 p.m. while deputies conducted an accident investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact Officer Opice at the Temecula Police Department at 951-696-3000 or after hours and on weekends at 951-776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number TE161690115 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff's CrimeTips online form.