The California Highway Patrol has released a news statement about Tuesday morning’s fatal motorcycle crash in Murrieta, and unsafe speed in a construction zone is being blamed for the deadly spill.
The lethal crash occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on the southbound 215 Freeway just north of Murrieta Hot Springs Road.
According to a CHP report, a motorcycle rider aboard a black Kawasaki CBR 600 lost control, was run over by a tractor-trailer and died at the scene.
CHP reported that the motorcycle rider, whose identity has not yet been released by authorities, was attempting to overtake slow traffic in the freeway construction area.
The posted speed limit in the construction zone is 55 mph, but the motorcycle rider was traveling at about 65 mph while traffic ahead slowed to 35 mph, according to CHP.
The rider hit the brakes, lost control and was ejected from the bike into the number two lane, underneath the tractor-trailer, according to the CHP.
“The rear axles (of the tractor-trailer) … ran over (the rider) causing fatal injuries,” the CHP reported.
The tractor-trailer driver was interviewed at the scene and later released.
As is customary, the crash remains under investigation.
