Two Orange County residents were killed in a head-on motorcycle crash Sunday morning on the Ortega Highway west of Lake Elsinore, authorities said.
The mountain road, officially known as Highway 74, was shut down in both directions from Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore to the Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute in San Juan Capistrano. Just after 1 p.m., the highway reopened to westbound traffic, quickly followed by eastbound lanes.
The names and ages of the people killed have not been released, but California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Lassig said the man heading east was a La Habra resident on a Yamaha sportsbike, and the man heading west was a Buena Park resident on a BMW sportsbike.
The crash was reported just before 10:30 a.m. near the Ortega Oaks Candy Store. The rider going east was traveling at an unsafe speed as he approached a curve, Lassig said. He crossed the double-yellow line and hit the westbound rider head-on. Both were killed at the scene.
Though the day was overcast with some drizzle Sunday morning, Lassig said the highway was dry.
The CHP is investigating the crash.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.