Motorcyclist Killed After Crossing Lanes, Hitting Car Head-On

A 24-year-old Garden Grove motorcyclist was killed Sunday morning after he strayed into oncoming traffic on the Ortega Highway near San Juan Capistrano and collided head-on with a car, authorities said.

The motorcyclist was identified as Tho Nguyen by the Orange County coroner’s office. California Highway Patrol officials said they don’t know why Nguyen, who was headed east on his Suzuki, crossed into the westbound lanes about 8:12 a.m.

Two people in the oncoming car, a BMW, were take to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo. Both air bags in the BMW deployed, and CHP Officer Drew Hertsch said the bags saved the lives of the driver and passenger, whose names were not released.

Nguyen suffered fatal head injuries despite wearing a helmet, the CHP dispatcher said. The accident occurred near the Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park and closed the highway in both directions until 10:36 a.m.