Hollister
– A Hollister man was killed when his motorcycle collided with a
pickup truck just before noon on Saturday.
Hollister – A Hollister man was killed when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck just before noon on Saturday.
Michael Yarbrough, 36, was riding a 2006 Harley-Davidson motorcycle eastbound on Shore Road when 80-year-old Hollister resident Robert Hall steered his Ford F-350 into the path of the oncoming motorcycle as he made a left turn onto Fry Lane, according to the Hollister-Gilroy California Highway Patrol.
Yarbrough slammed on the brakes of the Harley and tried to avoid hitting the truck. The motorcycle went down into a slide and hit the right side of the truck. Yarbrough was flung from the bike.
Passing motorists called for help and CHP officials arrived on scene within eight minutes of the call, CHP Public Information Officer Chris Armstrong said.
Yarbrough was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. He was returning from a motorcycle ride and was less than five minutes from home at the time of the collision.
Hall was not injured.
One lane of Shore Road was closed for about an hour after the crash while authorities investigated the crash.
Investigators do not believe either alcohol or drugs were involved, Armstrong said. Witnesses said neither party was speeding at the time of the collision.
Armstrong said the section of Shore Road where the crash occurred was not known for having a large number of collisions or other traffic problems.
Yarbrough, who was born and raised in San Benito County, worked as a business development manager for Indymac Bank, the second largest independent mortgage lender in the nation.
Yarbrough was an avid San Jose Sharks fan and motorcycle rider who loved spending time with his two sons, Michael Jr., 13, and Matthew, 11, said his wife, Neiche Yarbrough. He is also survived by his father, Jay Yarbrough, and mother-in-law, Rose Ortiz.
“He accomplished more than any other 36-year-old,” Neiche Yarbrough said. “He loved to be with his family. He will be missed.”
She also extended her thanks to the many witnesses and others who helped her husband and stayed with him waiting for emergency officials to arrive.
Close friends of the family described Yarbrough as a family man and good Samaritan.
“He was an all-around awesome guy,” Tina Castelo said. “He touched many hearts.”
Brett Rowland is city editor for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 332 or [email protected].
