Man killed, passenger injured in East County motorcycle vs. SUV crash

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A fatal accident closed Avocado Boulevard in Casa de Oro-Mount Helix in East County for nearly two hours Sunday night. Police and first responders responded to calls just after 8 p.m. Sunday for a motorcycle versus SUV collision near the intersection of Avocado Boulevard and Explorer Road in Casa de Oro-Mount Helix. California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports a Ducati motorcycle with a man rider and woman passenger collided with a Ford Explorer being driven by a La Mesa man as it was attempting to make a left turn onto Explorer Road. The motorcycle and SUV collided head-on, ejecting the rider and passenger of the motorcycle onto the road. CHP reports the rider, a 22-year-old El Cajon man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, a 20-year-old El Cajon woman, was taken to the hospital with major injuries. The driver of the Ford Explorer, a 40-year-old La Mesa man, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. CHP issued a Sig Alert for north and south Avocado Boulevard for nearly two hours Sunday night. The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing. CHP says it is unknown at this time if drugs and/or alcohol were a factor. Check back for updates on this developing story.