Photo by Jack Clark

On Thursday, June 8, at about 7:40 a.m., Frederick Carlson, 53, of Hemet was riding his 2014 Victory motorcycle northbound on Highway 243 about 250 feet south of Marian View Drive. As he rounded the curve toward town, he lost control of his bike for reasons unknown. He was thrown onto the roadway, sustaining severe injuries. He died within minutes.

The incident was reported at 7:45 a.m. Cal Fire, CHP and Idyllwild Fire responded to the scene. The coroner was dispatched at 8:31 a.m. and arrived at 9:41 a.m.

Steve Friemoth told the Town Crier that Carlson had been employed at Idyllwild Garage for about the past six months.

No other vehicles are known to have been involved in the crash. Carlson was wearing a helmet of unknown type. Alcohol and/or drugs have not yet been ruled out as causative factors.

Highway 243 was entirely closed in both directions for about three hours from just south of Marian View Drive to lower Saunders Meadow Road. Traffic in both directions was detoured along Saunders Meadow Road from near the transfer station to Idyllwild School. CHP cleared the scene at 10:44 a.m.