One motorcyclist died, and another was injured, in a crash on the Morongo Grade Thursday night. At about 6:39 p.m., Blake Creel, 20, of Twentynine Palms was riding a 2004 Yamaha R6 westbound on State Route 62 in the right lane, east of North Indian Canyon. Jared Patrick, 20, also from Twentynine Palms, was riding a 2015 Yamaha FZ-07 westbound on SR-62 in the left lane, behind Creel. For unknown reasons, Creel traveled to the right, off the roadway and struck the guardrail. The motorcycle overturned and the rider was thrown from the bike, entering the roadway. Patrick struck Creel and the Patrick’s bike overturned, throwing him from the bike. Patrick struck the concrete barrier wall, traveled over the wall and came to rest on the highway eastbound in the left lane. Both riders sustained major injuries and were transported to Desert Regional Medical Center. Blake Creel was pronounced dead at the hospital. The left lane in each direction on the highway was closed for approximately two hours. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Alcohol and/or drugs did not appear to be a factor.
