Marine Injured When Motorbike Crashes On Ortega Highway

UPDATE 5:49 p.m.:

A Camp Pendleton Marine suffered serious injuries Saturday when his motorbike crashed on the Ortega Highway -- in an area known as the "Carousel" -- and both he and the bike went off the road, the CHP reported.

The crash, that also involved a Toyota Camry driven by a 41-year-old Lake Elsinore resident, shut down the highway in both directions for about 30 minutes. At press time, eastbound traffic remained backed up for about a mile.

California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Keene told Patch at the scene that the motorcyclist was heading west -- uphill -- on the Ortega at about 4:30 p.m.

The Camry was heading east -- downhill -- when the bike drifted into the eastbound lane and struck the Camry's front end, knocking the rider off the bike and the bike off the road, Keene told Patch.

The Marine, who had active duty friends out riding with him, was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center, Keene said.

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ORIGINAL POST:

The Ortega Highway is closed in both directions Saturday due to a injury crash involving one motorcycle 30 feet over the side.

The crash was reported at approximately 4:30 p.m. near Dead Man's Curve, about 2 miles up from Grand Avenue.

Unconfirmed reports state the crash involves multiple vehicles, but according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Melody Hendrickson, only one motorcycle is confirmed over the side.

Hendrickson said the roadway will be closed for an undetermined amount of time. --Daniel Lane contributed to this report.

More updates to follow …