A 48-year-old motorcyclist was killed before sunrise Thursday in a collision with a Tesla on the Riverside (91) Freeway, which was partially shut down because of the wreck.
Marvin Walker of Lake Elsinore was fatally injured about 4:45 a.m. on the eastbound Riverside Freeway near Magnolia Avenue in Riverside, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Walker was riding his Yamaha V-Star in the HOV lane when a Tesla Model Y approached from behind, CHP Officer Keith Ballantyne said.
“At some point, a collision occurred involving the two vehicles,” Ballantyne said. “The rider of the Yamaha was ejected from the motorcycle.”
Walker was hurled onto the freeway, suffering major blunt force injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene 15 minutes later by Riverside Fire Department paramedics.
The Tesla driver, whose name was not disclosed, was not injured.
“Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this collision,” Ballantyne said.
The motorist was not arrested.
The crash prompted CHP officers to shut down all four eastbound lanes at the location, diverting traffic off of the freeway at Pierce Street into Riverside.
A SigAlert was issued at 5 a.m. because of the ensuing miles-long traffic jam.
The lane closures were in effect until 2 p.m. because of how the wreckage was dispersed and other complications, according to the CHP.