Head-on crash leaves one dead, one hurt on Ortega Highway west of Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE — A motorist was killed and another was seriously injured Monday in a head-on collision on Ortega (74) Highway west of Lake Elsinore.

The crash was reported about 4:05 a.m. near the Orange County line, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Mike Lassig said a 25-year-old Lake Elsinore man was at the wheel of a 2015 Honda Civic headed eastbound on the 74 when the sedan drifted into the westbound lanes.

A 56-year-old Menifee man driving a 2018 Dodge Challenger was coming from the opposite direction and encountered the Honda coming straight at him, Lassig said.

“The driver of the Dodge was unable to take evasive action, causing the Honda driver’s front end to collide head-on with the Dodge’s front end,” the officer said.

He said the operator of the Honda was not wearing a seat belt and suffered fatal injuries. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Dodge suffered major injuries and was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar in serious but stable condition.

Neither motorist’s name was immediately released.

The entire two-lane highway was shut down for three hours due to the crash, which remains under investigation.