Fatal Motorcycle Crash Closes Freeway
A 54-year-old Orange man died after being thrown from his motorcycle Thursday in an accident that snarled morning traffic on the Santa Ana Freeway for hours, authorities said.
Mark A. Rickles died of head injuries after losing control of his motorcycle on the freeway at the Lake Forest offramp, according to Officer Angel Johnson, a spokeswoman for the California Highway Patrol.
The man, apparently on his way to work, hit a raised concrete curb on the left side of the offramp about 5:30 a.m., Johnson said.
The impact threw Rickles from his motorcycle and also knocked off his helmet, she added.
Initially, CHP officers closed some traffic lanes as they began their crash investigation, Johnson said.
But officers became concerned that motorists, traveling 65 mph, might “run them over” and decided to close the freeway about 6 a.m.
The freeway was reopened at 7:30 a.m., Johnson said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
