Motorcyclist Killed After Plunging 300 Feet Down Embankment In Castaic

UPDATE: A motorcyclist killed in Castaic was a missing woman who crashed early Monday afternoon and was located by family members who pinged her cellphone location.

The motorcyclist was last seen Monday afternoon around 12:26 p.m. at the Chevron Gas Station in Castaic, said Officer Josh Greengard, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Newhall Area Office.

After the family was unable to contact the motorcyclist, they filed a missing person report, according to Greengard.

While the report was in the process of being filed, family members were able to ping the rider’s cellphone which led a search and rescue team  to Ridge Route Road near Shadow Lake Lane in Castaic early Wednesday morning, at which point  the investigation was handed over to the CHP Newhall Area Office.

In the early stages of the investigation, it is believed the motorcycle rider was travelling north on Ridge Route Road, and failed to navigate a curve in the roadway, according to Greengard.

The rider went off the road, and collided with an electrical  tower before plunging around 300 feet down the embankment, according to Greengard.

She was pronounced deceased by L.A. County paramedics in the 7 a.m. hour Wednesday.

While the rider’s identity has not been released by the CHP, social media groups affiliated with motorcycle events have identified her as Rita Flasch.

Ed. Note: This article has been updated with new information from the CHP.

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