Hollister – A San Jose resident was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident on highways 25 and 146 while taking an afternoon ride Saturday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A 54-year-old man, whose name is not being released yet because the next of kin has not been notified, was riding northbound on Highway 25, just north of Highway 146 when for an unknown reason he failed to negotiate a turn and let his 1996 BMW R1100 motorcycle run off the road, said CHP Officer Brad Voyles.
He was ejected and his body was thrown into an oak tree after his motorcycle collided with a paddle marker on the right shoulder, according to a CHP statement.
“Every once in awhile we’ll get a solo motorcycle that runs off the road and realizes those oak trees don’t move,” Voyles said. The last accident in that location was in May of last year, he said.
The victim suffered massive blunt force trauma to his chest and vital organs, and died while being transported via CALSTAR to San Jose Medical Center, Voyles said.
He was wearing a helmet and protective gear and alcohol was not a factor, according to the CHP.
The victim’s brother was following him and witnessed the crash and said his brother wasn’t traveling at an excessive speed, but Voyles did not know how fast he was going when he crashed, he said.
The road was not wet at the time and the weather was clear and sunny, Voyles said.
“It was great weather for a bike ride,” he said, “but these things happen, unfortunately.”
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
