Hollister
– A major injury accident involving a Toyota sedan and a
Harley-Davidson motorcycle at the intersection of Maple Street and
San Felipe Road sent a local man to the hospital with serious
injuries on Monday.
Hollister – A major injury accident involving a Toyota sedan and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle at the intersection of Maple Street and San Felipe Road sent a local man to the hospital with serious injuries on Monday.
The man, who has not been identified, was in his mid-40s. He was flown by helicopter to an area hospital.
At press time police were still investigating the accident, but initial reports indicated that a car turning left off Maple Street to head southbound on San Felipe Road collided with the motorcycle in the intersection after 2pm.
The collision ejected the motorcyclist some 40 feet into the southbound left turn lane of San Felipe Road, Hollister Police Captain Jeff Miller said.
The man suffered severe injuries, said Hollister Fire Chief Bill Garringer. Miller said the man suffered a compound fracture to his right leg. Garringer said the man was conscious, talking and had good blood pressure, which indicates no major bleeding or head trauma. The man held one of the emergency medical technician member’s hands as they carried his stretcher through a nearby field into the helicopter.
Northbound traffic on San Felipe Road was stopped completely while one lane of southbound traffic remained open.
A flatbed tow truck left the scene with the motorcycle on its bed and the brown Toyota in tow. The front end of the Toyota was buckled from the impact.
Cleanup crews worked with sand to soak up motor fluids that had been spilled in the intersection.
The motorcyclist may not have had the bike for long, Garringer said.
“One of the relatives told me it was a fairly new bike,” Garringer said.
Police officials could not release the names of the parties involved before family members were notified. Officials were unsure which hospital the motorcyclist was sent to. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 637-5566 ext. 335, or [email protected]