Aliso Motorcyclist Dies in Ortega Crash

An Aliso Viejo man lost control of his motorcycle Saturday morning on Ortega Highway and died from injuries when he was ejected into a tree stump, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

Faraz Memon, 34, was killed nearly two miles across the Riverside County border while riding with friends.

According to CHP spokesman Jesse Udovich, Memon was with two other motorcyclists heading eastbound on the winding highway when he accelerated away from them. The two trailing riders briefly lost sight of Memon, who attempted to negotiate a sweeping left to right curve, when he lost control of his 2006 Yamaha R-6. The motorcycle slid in the eastbound lane and across the westbound lane, went down a small embankment where Memon was thrown from the bike. He hit an old tree stump about 20 feet from the roadway. 

Although CHP originally called for a coroner after the 9:05 a.m. accident, that call was cancelled and Memon was transported by ambulance to Inland Valley Medical Center in Murrieta. He succumbed to his injuries at 10:25 a.m.

The closest notable marker to the crash site is the Ortega Oaks Candy Store.

The accident report confirmed what Robin Roush had heard. She was working at the candy store at the time.

"A month ago, the same thing happened but just the rider went over, not the bike," Roush said. "It’s hard to get used to. I’ve only been here since March. It’s a difficult thing, I hope he makes it through this."

Most turns on the road are marked at 30 mph.

The crash was reported at 9:11 a.m. and forced closure of Highway 74 in both directions until 9:59 a.m., the CHP said. The candy store is about three miles east of the Riverside-Orange County line, east of San Juan Capistrano.

Paramedics arriving at the bike crash found the rider in full cardiac arrest, according to the CHP.

—City News Service