Photo by Jack Clark
One fatality
The California Highway Patrol San Gorgonio Pass Station reported two motorcycle crashes on Hill roads over the last week, one resulting in a fatality of a locally employed man.
At about 7:40 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 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 approaching town, he lost control of his bike for unknown reasons. He was thrown onto the roadway and suffered severe injuries resulting in death.
The incident was reported at 7:45 a.m. Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol and Idyllwild Fire responded to the scene. A Riverside County coroner was dispatched at 8:31 a.m. and arrived at 9:41 a.m.
Carlson was wearing a regulation helmet, according to Darren Meyer, CHP public information officer. Idyllwild Garage owner Steve Friemoth confirmed Carlson had been employed at the garage for the past six months.
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.
A GoFundMe site was created for anyone to help Carlson’s family with a donation. Visit www.gofundme.com/inlovingmemoryoffredcarlson.
At 10:45 a.m. Sunday, June 11, Jason Anthony Nye, 40, of Laguna Beach, was riding his 2009 Ducati motorcycle eastbound on Highway 74, 150 feet east of McCall Park Road when he ran off the road. Nye suffered minor injuries, a broken right middle finger, and was transported by American Medical Response to Hemet Valley Medical Center in Hemet. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
