1 Motorcyclist Dies, 1 Hurt in Separate Crashes

A motorcyclist was killed and another injured in separate crashes on Ortega Highway, California Highway Patrol officials said Monday. In both accidents, authorities said, the motorcyclists failed to make a turn on the winding road.

Joseph Anthony Marrujo, 49, of San Juan Capistrano was ejected from his Yamaha about 5:45 p.m. Sunday and was pronounced dead at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo after suffering traumatic injuries.

Marrujo, who was wearing a helmet, was eastbound on Ortega Highway about a mile east of Antonio Parkway when, for unknown reasons, he lost control and struck the hillside, said CHP Officer Chris Goodwin.

Marrujo was thrown from the bike, which struck a Chrysler van driven by Allan Baker, 75, of Rockville, Md. Baker was not injured.

About 10 miles away, a 38-year-old Huntington Beach man suffered major injuries when he was speeding at 3:20 p.m. Sunday and lost control of his Harley-Davidson, Goodwin said.

The man, whose name was not released, was being treated Monday at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center. Authorities said he crossed a double yellow line to pass another motorcyclist but failed to make an immediate sharp right turn because he was speeding. The motorcycle sideswiped a minivan, then struck a guardrail before the rider was ejected. He was found about 20 feet down the mountainside, Goodwin said.

The minivan’s driver left the accident scene and is being sought by authorities.