Mission Viejo Cyclist Killed in Morning Crash

A Mission Viejo bicyclist was killed this morning while riding southbound towards the Laguna Beach on Laguna Canyon Road, according to Officer E. Barnard of the California Highway Patrol. 

The accident occurred at 8:48 a.m. in the long, open stretch of highway south of Interstate 405 and north of the 73 toll road.

The cyclist, a 53-year-old Mission Viejo man, and a 48-year-old man from Fullerton, were rammed by a white 2010 Toyota Corolla that was being driven by a 25-year-old Irvine woman. The Mission Viejo man died at the scene, while the Fullerton man was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo for treatment of his injuries.

Officer Barnard says that the Corolla driver was traveling at approximately 60 miles per hour, and that for an as yet undetermined reason, she swerved into the bicycle lane, striking the cyclists.

The Toyota driver was questioned at the scene about her involvement in the incident, which Barnard says is still under investigation. The accident does not, at this time, appear to be alcohol related, Barnard says.

Traffic delays for several hours following the accident prompted an alert from the Laguna Beach Police Department. The road is now open in both directions.