Biker Crashes on Hwy 74 Near Lake Elsinore; Road Rage Suspected

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA -- A motorcyclist crashed Wednesday afternoon on the Ortega (74) Highway west of Lake Elsinore during a possible act of road rage aimed at the driver of a sedan, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred about 4:50 p.m. near the Candy Store pullout on the highway, about 10 miles from Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore.

Two motorcyclists were attempting to go around a silver sedan on the two-lane corridor when one of the riders ``threw a punch'' at the motorist's window for reasons unclear, according to the CHP.

The suspect missed a bend in the road while focusing on the vehicle, and his motorcycle overturned as he tried to steer back onto the pavement, according to reports from the scene.

Within a few minutes, Riverside County Fire Department personnel arrived and found the rider down on the roadway. Eastbound and westbound traffic was blocked by the CHP while paramedics treated the rider.

The extent of the man's injuries was not immediately clear, but the driver of the sedan was unhurt. Details about the second motorcyclist were not immediately available.

City News Service contributed to this report.