The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that the crash happened just before 6 p.m. When police arrived on scene, the motorcycle rider was found lying in the southeast corner of the intersection, where he was pronounced dead. The motorcyclist’s name has not yet been released.
The motorcycle was traveling east on Sebastopol Road when the driver of the minivan, Teri Hoyle of Santa Rosa, traveling in the opposition direction on Sebastopol Road, turned left onto southbound Dutton Avenue directly in front of the motorcyclist. The motorcycle and the van collided and the motorcycle rider was thrown from the motorcycle, landing in the roadway. The motorcycle appeared to have impacted a curb near a light pole on the southeast corner of the intersection, where it and the rider ultimately landed as well.
Anyone that witnessed this collision is encouraged to contact Officer Josh Kertianis of the Santa Rosa Police Department Traffic Bureau at (707) 543-3636.
Update: The Sonoma County coroner’s office has identified the motorcyclist who died as Alfred Lemay Jr. of Santa Rosa.
Intersection Collisions Are Frequent Cause of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
One of the most common types of motorcycle accidents we encounter at the Dolan Law Firm is when a vehicle traveling in the opposition direction turns in front of the motorcyclist at an intersection. The driver of an oncoming car making a left turn into the motorcyclist’s path is almost always liable for a collision when the motorcyclist was traveling straight through an intersection. Exceptions to this near-automatic rule can apply if the motorcyclist was going well over the speed limit, or ran a red light.
We offer our condolences to the family and friends of the motorcyclist who died. Should you wish to learn more about your rights and remedies under the law from an experienced motorcycle crash attorney at the Dolan Law Firm please call us toll free at 888-452-4752 or complete our contact form. We will review your claim for free and with no obligation on your part. We apply our extensive knowledge of the law and trial skills, as well as the firm’s substantial financial resources and access to experts, to provide each client with superior legal representation.
