money Fatal crash involving motorcycle closes Highway 118 near Somis Wednesday morning
A motorcycle rider died in a crash on Highway 118 east of Somis that closed the route for about 2 hours Wednesday morning.
The two-vehicle accident was reported around 6:30 a.m. east of Sand Canyon Road, said Officer Ryan Ayers of the California Highway Patrol's Moorpark office. The area is generally east of Somis Road, also known as Highway 34.
Responding personnel found the motorcycle rider lying in the traffic lanes and immediately started CPR, Ayers said. The man, described as a Camarillo resident in his 50s, died at the scene. His name was not immediately released pending notification of family.
The collision involved the rider's Harley-Davidson and a Ford Escort, Ayers said. A woman believed to be in her 30s was driving the car, he said.
The CHP's initial investigation determined both vehicles had been traveling eastbound on the 118 at the time.
Eastbound traffic had slowed behind the Escort as the driver prepared to turn left into a private driveway, Ayers said.
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The motorcyclist reportedly tried to pass the stopped cars, Ayers said. The rider crossed over double-yellow lines in his attempt to get around the blockage, Ayers said, noting the double-yellow lines indicated a no-passing zone. He crossed into oncoming lanes during the attempt, Ayers said.
The rider collided with the rear of the Ford Escort as the driver was making the turn into the driveway, Ayers said.
The accident and subsequent investigation closed the heavily traveled route in both directions between Somis Road, on the west, and Tierra Rejada Road in Moorpark. Motorists were also turned around at Balcom Canyon Road. Lanes had fully reopened shortly before 8:45 a.m., Ayers said.
It was the second fatal crash investigated by the Moorpark CHP this week. On Monday, two men in their 20s were killed in a fiery accident on Grimes Canyon Road, west of Moorpark city limits, when a passenger car crossed into the path of a semitrailer, authorities said.
Ayers urged drivers to allow themselves extra travel time as the holiday season approaches and traffic gets especially heavy.
"Leave early and practice patience," he said.
Wednesday's incident remains under investigation, Ayers said.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Motorcyclist dies in crash on Highway 118 near Somis
