2 Motorcyclists Die In Separate -- But Related -- Crashes In Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE (CBSLA.com) — Two motorcyclists died in Lake Elsinore Saturday in separate -- but related -- crashes.

The Coroner said Fidel Curiel, 26, of Lake Elsinore and Robert Harris, 48, of Fontana died on Route 74, near Grand Ave.

Officials could not confirm if drugs of alcohol played a part in either fatal accident.

Harris lost control of his 2001 Harley-Davidson Sportster around 1:30 p.m., according to the CHP.

He was headed west on Route 74 and going about 50 mph when he was unable to negotiate a turn and veered into oncoming traffic.

The CHP said he slammed head-on into a Ford SUV. Harris and his bike flipped over and fell down a 40-foot embankment, said officials.

His left leg was sheared off in the accident. Paramedics raced him to the Inland Valley Medical Center in Murrieta but he was pronounced dead about an hour-and-a-half after the accident.

An hour after the first accident was reported, authorities say Curiel tried to clear the roadway where investigators were still probing the first incident.

Witnesses said he was weaving in and out of traffic, speeding and driving recklessly. Curiel was allegedly caught by surprise when traffic came to a stop at the first accident scene and he tipped over and slid under a white Ford Ranger pickup truck.

He sustained serious injuries in the fall and was declared dead about 20 minutes later, said authorities.

The CHP would still like to speak to the driver of the pickup truck. They said the motorist  -- about 40 years old with blond hair -- left the scene before he could be questioned.

Anyone with information about the second accident was asked to call the CHP's Temecula office (951) 506-2000.

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