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Motorcyclist Killed on SB Highway 85 in Mountain View

The motorcycle went down and caught on fire in a collision with another vehicle near the Central Expressway junction.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal motorcycle collision in Mountain View Monday night.

The collision was reported at 5:12 p.m. on southbound state Highway 85 near the Central Expressway. A 2004 Triumph motorcycle collided with a 2011 Mini Cooper there and the motorcycle went down and caught fire, according to the CHP.

The fire was put out quickly, but the motorcyclist was killed in the collision. Multiple lanes of the highway were blocked as CHP officers investigated, and one lane remained blocked as the investigation continued.

The identity of the motorcyclist has not yet been determined. No additional injuries were reported.

—Copyright © 2012 by Bay City News, Inc.— Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

Brian Johnson November 27, 2012 at 05:14 pm
May the motorcyclist rest in peace; this is horrible! Could someone please do a follow-up on this story to give more info on what actually led to this tragic event?
Linda November 28, 2012 at 02:10 am
We were just getting off work and i made the sign of the cross once we were past the accident and i prayed for the family that was going to be getting some bad news that night....what a horrible scene and i hope people look for the motorcycles sharing or roads with us and remember they are just like us working and just trying to get home
Claudia Cruz (Editor) November 28, 2012 at 03:17 am
I'll follow-up with CHP Brian. As a driver who frequently exits near that area, I do know that if a driver isn't familiar with how short the passing lane is to get to the off ramp, it can be problematic. It happens in both directions, north and south, near the off ramps to El Camino Real (in particular).
Claudia Cruz (Editor) November 28, 2012 at 03:19 am
It's the most horrible news to get, Linda. Makes you want to hug your loved ones more everyday.
A Friend November 28, 2012 at 06:25 pm
I am a long time friend of the person killed. Since the name has not been made public i do not want to include it yet in case any family has not been informed of their loss. He truely was a great guy and will be sorely missed.
Mike Hansen November 29, 2012 at 11:15 pm
I passed the accident about 1 hour after it occured. My thoughts and prayers were to the rider and his family. I have been disturbed by the incident for days now. I would really like to know how this could have occurred.
@ A Friend. Please know for you, his friends and family, that their are those of us out here thinking and praying for you all.
L.A. Chung (Editor) November 30, 2012 at 02:26 am
I happened to mention this to my husband, who said a co-worker who was on the highway about the same time was talking about it. Co-worker told him he was passed by the motorcyclist, who was splitting lanes and traveling at a high rate of speed. Then the co-worker came upon the accident. The co-worker didn't see the impact nor how the collision happened. Very sad. The CHP will write an accident report.
Mike Hansen November 30, 2012 at 03:58 am
I'm not sure why he would be splitting lanes when the commuter lane is wide open at that time? I did see other riders splitting lanes at very extreme rates of speed after the back-up from the accident occurred. I sure hope those guys will change their behaivor.
George Baker December 3, 2012 at 02:52 am
The splitting lane law should be repealed to prevent the next accident - it is being abused - this accident did not need to happened

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