Rancho Mirage man killed in Highway 74 crash motorcycle crash
MOUNTAIN CENTER, Calif. (KESQ) - A Rancho Mirage man was killed in a crash on Highway 74 and Carrizo Road Saturday evening, according to the Riverside County Coroner's Office.
Eric Boettcher, 38, was pronounced dead in a crash while riding his motorcycle shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday.
According to the California Highway Patrol, a La Quinta resident was riding a 2005 Harley Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle, being followed by his two friends, Boettcher and a Palm Desert Man, traveling eastbound on State Route 74.
For reasons still under investigation, the La Quinta man allowed his motorcycle to cross over the centerline and into oncoming traffic. The driver of the Scion TC traveling on the opposite lane took evasive actions by applying their brakes.
CHP said the front of the Harley Davidson Electra Glide crashed into the left front of the Scion TC. The impact caused the La Quinta man to be ejected from his motorcycle. The bike then overturned and careened across lanes, into the eastbound lane, directly ahead of a 55-year-old Palm Desert man, riding a 2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide motorcycle, who had been riding eastbound directly behind the Harley Davidson Electra Glide.
Electra Glide overturned and careened across lanes, into the eastbound lane, directly ahead of a 55-year-old Palm Desert man, riding a 2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide motorcycle, who had been riding eastbound directly behind the La Quinta man.
The Palm Desert man's motorcycle crashed into the La Quinta man's motorcycle, causing it to overturn and its rider to be ejected.
Boettcher was among the group riding in the very back of the motorcycle group. When the crash happened, Boettcher's 2012 Harley Davidson Super Low motorcycle crashed into the right passenger side of the Scion TC, which had spun directly into its path of travel as a result of the previous impact with one of the motorcycles.
Both the Scion TC and Harley Davidson Super Low plummeted over the side of the mountain, south of State Route 74.
Boettcher was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered multiple blunt force traumas, authorities said. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The La Quinta man was airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center. There was no word on his current condition. The Palm Desert man was evaluated on scene and was not transported. The driver of the Scion TC was also transported to DRMC via ambulance.
The crash shut down lanes on Highway 74 for hours Saturday from Pinyon Pines to Bighorn Road.
Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the CHP San Gorgonio Pass Area office at (951) 846-5300.
