2 killed in crash on 55 Freeway

Two people were killed in a six-vehicle crash on the Costa Mesa Freeway in Orange late Sunday, authorities said.

A motorcyclist who was traveling north died after he lost control south of Nohl Ranch Road. He struck the center divider and was ejected into the southbound lane, where he was struck by several vehicles, said California Highway Patrol Officer Denise Quesada.

A driver who swerved to avoid the motorcyclist also was killed after he lost control, struck a guardrail and was then struck by another vehicle, Quesada said.

CHP investigators have not released the name of either victim, Quesada said, and were still investigating what caused the crash. The southbound lanes of the freeway were shut down overnight but reopened early Monday, authorities said.

-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske