One dead, one injured in multi-vehicle crash on SR-78

WYNOLA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — One person was killed and another was severely injured in a multi-vehicle crash on state Route 78 Sunday morning, according to California Highway Patrol.

The collision occurred around 10:20 a.m. when a motorcycle group were traveling eastbound on the road. A 66-year-old man from La Mirada and a 55-year-old man from Mission Viejo were in the group, riding a Harley Davidson Road King bike and a Harley Low Rider, respectively.

According to CHP, a 38-year-old man from San Diego was driving a Chevrolet Silverado truck with a Forrest River EVO travel trailer westbound on SR-78 at the same time, approaching the group of motorcyclists.

At one point, the rider of the Harley Road King motorcycle veered into oncoming traffic while traveling through a curve in the roadway, sideswiping the side of the Chevrolet Silverado and Forrest River EVO trailer, authorities said.

The rider of the Harley Road King was ejected from the bike and came to a rest in the eastbound lanes, with his motorcycle on top of him.

According to CHP, the rider of the Harley Low Rider, who was traveling behind the Road King, swerved to avoid running over the rider and struck the side of the Chevrolet. He was also ejected onto the roadway. Both motorcyclists were reportedly wearing helmets.

CHP and fire crews responded to the scene of the crash. The 66-year-old man was transported to Santa Ysabel by ground ambulance for airlifting to a nearby hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries before reaching the air ambulance and was pronounced dead by paramedics.

The 55-year-old was also airlifted to Palomar Hospital for treatment of major injuries. His current condition is not known at this time. The driver of the Chevrolet and a passenger in the vehicle were uninjured, CHP said.

The identities of the individuals involved, including the motorcyclist who died, in the collision have not been released.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing. However, drugs and alcohol have been ruled out as factors in the crash, CHP said.

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