Murrieta motorcyclist suffers fatal injury after traffic collision

TEMECULA - On March 27, at approximately 6:10 a.m., a 52-year-old male from Murrieta was riding a 2006 Yamaha Venturo motorcycle. He was traveling southbound on I-15, south of Rancho California Rd, between the #1 and #2 lanes at approximately 40 MPH.

A 41-year-old male also from Murrieta, was driving a 2010 Mazda 3, and also traveling southbound on I-15, in the #2 lane at approximately 30-35 MPH.

A 21-year-old male from Temecula, was riding a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle, and was also traveling southbound on I-15, in the #1 lane at 30 MPH.

As the rider of the Yamaha was splitting traffic between the #1 and #2 lanes, the Yamaha passed the Suzuki and began approaching the rear of the Mazda. The Mazda had stopped due to traffic. The driver of the Yamaha was unable to avoid the Mazda, as the Yamaha collided with the left rear portion of the Mazda.

This impact caused the rider of the Yamaha to lose control, as the Yamaha overturned onto its left side, ejecting the rider onto the roadway. The rider of the Suzuki also began splitting traffic between the #1 and #2 lanes, and observed that the rider of the Yamaha had lost control.

The rider of the Yamaha had been ejected directly in front of the Suzuki. The rider of the Suzuki applied his brakes, but was unable to stop as he ran over the other rider. The rider of the Suzuki then lost control of his motorcycle, as he traveled onto the center divider. The Suzuki struck the center divider, ejecting its rider onto the northbound center median.

The rider of the Yamaha was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. The rider of the Suzuki sustained moderate injuries.

No injuries were reported from the driver of the Mazda. Alcohol is not suspected in this incident. The collision remains under investigation.

If you have questions or need further information, please contact Officer Nathan Baer at the Temecula CHP office at (951) 506-2000.

TEMECULA -- A man was fatally injured today in a collision on Interstate 15 in Temecula that caused him to be thrown from his motorcycle and struck by a fellow biker, who was also hurt.

The crash happened around 6 a.m. on southbound I-15, near Rancho California Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The motorcyclist, a 52-year-old Murrieta resident whose name was not immediately released, was driving his Yamaha Venturo around 40 mph, splitting lanes, when traffic ahead of him suddenly slowed, said CHP Officer Nathan Baer.

He said the motorcyclist was unable to bring his bike to a stop in time to avoid colliding with the rear of a Mazda sedan. The impact ejected the victim onto the roadway -- directly into the path of a Suzuki motorcycle approaching from behind.

''The other motorcyclist applied his brakes but was unable to stop,'' Baer said.

The Suzuki rider, identified as a 21-year-old Temecula man, ran over the victim, causing the Suzuki to steer out of control and hit the freeway center divider, ejecting the rider onto the median, according to Baer.

The first motorcyclist was pronounced dead at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar. The other rider was hospitalized with moderate injuries. The man at the wheel of the Mazda was not hurt.