1 Dead On 15 Freeway

UPDATED AT 11:03 A.M.: A multi-vehicle crash on the 15 Freeway at the outskirts of Lake Elsinore has left one dead.

The crash was reported shortly after 8:15 a.m. Monday on the northbound 15, just south of Indian Truck Trail.

Preliminary investigation shows that a silver Dodge Ram was traveling on the southbound side of the freeway in the #1 or #2 lane and for unknown reasons veered toward the center divide, according to CHP Officer Steve Carapia.

The Ram crashed into the divider wall and flipped into the northbound freeway traffic. A motorcyclist on a Harley-Davidson riding on the northbound side of the freeway in the #1 lane was hit by flying debris from the Ram and was killed on impact, Carapia said.

The motorcyclist's identity has not yet been released. (CLICK HERE FOR THE APRIL 23 UPDATE ON HER IDENTITY.)

The truck eventually collided with a white sedan that was also traveling northbound on the freeway, according to Carapia, who said he believed the car was a Mercedes Benz.

The Ram driver and at least one person in the white sedan were transported to an area hospital with moderate injuries, according to Cal/Fire Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Melody Hendrickson. Their identities have not been released.

In addition to the human and vehicle carnage strewn across the 15, the Ram was loaded with produce that spilled across the freeway, Carapia said.

The officer said it’s too early to determine what may have caused the crash.

“Once our investigating officer collects all the information, we will have a clearer picture,” he said.

Freeway traffic was being diverted onto Lake Street in Lake Elsinore, and Carapia said the northbound freeway will be closed into the afternoon hours at Lake Street as the investigation and cleanup continues.

Traffic was backed up through Lake Elsinore as a result of Monday morning's crash.