Teen dies after off-roading accident

A Newport Beach teenager died over the weekend, hours after being injured in an off-roading motorcycle crash in Riverside County.

Alex Chisholm, 17, was riding alone about 4 p.m. Sunday at the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area near Borrego Springs when he lost control, according to a California State Parks spokeswoman.

Chisholm was going about 25 miles an hour when he hit an obstacle similar to a sand dune, spokeswoman Vicky Waters said.

The crash ejected Chisholm, and the bike’s handlebars hit him in the abdomen as he flew off, according to Waters.

Nobody witnessed the crash.

“He was actually on his own,” Waters said. “What I was told was he was at the park with his friends, but when the accident happened he was by himself.”

The wreck left the bike totaled and Chisholm on the ground, Waters said. When he was located, the teen complained of abdominal pain.

Waters said she didn’t know who found Chisholm but said it’s conceivable someone happened upon him rather quickly.

“This year, I know that the park has seen some pretty healthy attendance because of the nice weather,” Waters said.

Chisholm was transported by air to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Doctors pronounced Chisholm dead at 11:02 p.m. according to the Riverside’s coroner office, which has not yet released a cause of death.

State Park police are investigating.

“It’s just a very unfortunate turn of events,” Waters said.