Fatal Crash Closes Key Road During A.M. Rush

A heavily used highway connecting Orange and San Bernardino counties was closed for more than three hours during the Friday morning rush hour because of a fatal motorcycle accident in Brea.

Authorities said John Moarn, 58, of Anaheim was eastbound in the 5700 block of Carbon Canyon Road about 5:10 a.m. when his motorcycle collided with a pickup leaving a mobile home park.

Moarn, who wore a helmet, was taken to Placentia Linda Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The crash is still under investigation, Brea police said.

Caltrans closed the road, also known as SR 142, between Valencia Avenue in Orange County and the San Bernardino County line.

Traffic into Orange County was rerouted until the road reopened about 8:30 a.m. No major problems were reported, but police say the closure caused longer commutes for many.

“It was a mess,” Brea Police Sgt. Chris Haddad said. “It’s a very, very sensitive route because a lot of people use it. People get upset when we have to close it.”