Speed Blamed After 19-Year-Old Motorcyclist Killed In French Valley

FRENCH VALLEY, CA — A 19-year-old Winchester man who was riding his motorcycle at high speed Sunday in a residential French Valley neighborhood was killed when he lost control of his bike, authorities said.

The solo rider, whose identity was not released pending notification of next of kin, was on a 2017 Suzuki GSX-R bike heading eastbound on Abelia Street, just west of Kale Lane, at about 12:42 p.m.

The motorcyclist was traveling at approximately 80-90 mph, when for reasons still under investigation, he lost control of the bike and was unable to recover, according to a preliminary report from the California Highway Patrol.

The man was ejected off the motorcycle and suffered major injuries as a result; he was wearing safety equipment, according to the CHP.

The rider was sent via ground ambulance to Wildomar's Southwest Healthcare Inland Valley Hospital but he died at 5:40 p.m. that night, the CHP reported.

The CHP is continuing to investigate the fatal crash.

"The CHP would like to remind the motoring public to always be mindful of your speed," CHP Officer Mike Lassig said. "Speed is the number one cause of traffic collisions."