LAKE ELSINORE, California — In a devastating incident on the Ortega Highway, a 66-year-old man lost his life after a motorcycle crash on January 13th, 2024. Christopher McCartney, a resident of Tustin, met with the unfortunate accident around 11:15 a.m. while traveling eastbound on SR 74, approximately two miles west of Grand Avenue, as reported by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
According to Officer Mike Lassig, McCartney was riding his 2014 Triumph motorcycle at an undisclosed speed when he approached a right-hand curve on the roadway. Lassig stated, “For unknown reasons, he failed to safely negotiate the curve and traveled off the road, striking the mountainside. He was ejected off of his motorcycle, causing major injuries.“
Tragically, McCartney’s injuries proved fatal, and Riverside County Fire Department paramedics, arriving at the scene in less than 20 minutes, pronounced him dead on-site. The incident involved no other vehicles, and authorities are now awaiting autopsy results to gain further insights into the circumstances surrounding McCartney’s death.
The investigation is ongoing, and Officer Lassig mentioned that it is currently unknown whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash. The CHP Temecula office has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward by contacting them. The community mourns the loss of Christopher McCartney, emphasizing the importance of road safety and awareness for all motorists.
