INLAND EMPIRE – (INT) - Motorcycle accidents are taking a heavy toll of life across the Inland Empire this month.

An early Sunday crash on freeway 91 in Riverside killed one motorcyclist and critically injured another. Drivers of two other vehicles had minor injuries.

The incident closed eastbound lanes of the freeway near Buchanan Street. It was the ninth fatal motorcycle mishap this month in the IE. The coroner identified the victim as Alexander Ward, 28, of Covina.

Other fatal motorcycle mishaps over the weekend occurred in Hesperia and Palm Springs.

Last June, there was only one and in June 2014, three lost their lives.

Story Date: July 1, 2016