MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A Marine fatally crashed his motorcycle into the center divider while approaching Camp Pendleton's San Luis Rey gate early June 6.

Lance Cpl. Carlos Delatorre Jr., 22, of Chicago, was approaching the gate at 5:20 a.m. when his motorcycle struck the raised center median.

"He was ejected from his motorcycle and sustained a fatal head injury," said Officer Eric Anderson, the Oceanside, Calif., police officer assigned to the case.

Delatorre was a bulk fuel specialist with Bulk Fuel Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group.  He entered the Marine Corps in 1999 and arrived at Camp Pendleton September of that year.

A memorial service was held for Delatorre June 11 at the base's chapel.

This accident comes in the wake of two other fatal motorcycle accidents in the last month claiming Camp Pendleton Marines.

Lance Cpl. Joshua P. Gruka, of 5th Marine Regiment, was pronounced dead at the scene when the motorcycle he was operating slammed into a rock wall on Ortega Highway north of the base May 27.

Another Marine died in a motorcycle accident when he, driving at a high rate of speed, impacted a guardrail near San Onofre Fire Station on base May 2.

Some units are stepping up to the challenge of preventing motorcycle accidents by developing new ways to spread the word about motorcycle safety. Most recently, the 11th Marine Regiment organized a bike ride through local country roads to test the Marines' knowledge and awareness after receiving several classes on motorcycle safety, which was followed by interactive events with local motorcycle establishments.

As a base order, all potential motorcyclists on base must attend and pass a motorcycle safety course before riding their bikes on base. This certification must be updated annually.

"We always get these guys wondering what we can possibly teach them," said Sgt. Shawn Schofield, one of the base's motorcycle safety instructor. "After the first day, they've changed their tune."