2 killed when stolen motorcycle flies off freeway ramp, lands in middle of Interstate 5
A man and woman died Saturday when the stolen motorcycle they were riding flew off transition lanes from Interstate 5 to state Route 54 in National City.
Motorists reported the crash about 12:30 p.m. One witness reported that the motorcycle went airborne and hit a guardrail, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The pair were going 80 to 100 mph on the Honda motorcycle south on I-5 to the transition lanes that rise and curve to the left onto eastbound Route 54, CHP Sgt. Brandon Garland said. At that point, I-5 runs beneath Route 54.
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The driver lost control of the bike while trying to pass a car on the curve, Garland said. The motorcycle hit a cement wall along the right shoulder, then launched over the wall. The bike and its two riders plunged down, landing in the middle of I-5.
They skidded nearly 100 feet and ended up in the center divider, Garland said.
He said the motorcycle had been stolen in San Diego about a week ago.
Three left lanes of southbound I-5 were closed for about 90 minutes. Officers then closed the transition lanes to eastbound Route 54 to complete their investigation, Garland said.
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