UPPER LAKE ? A solo motorcycle rider was killed in an accident Saturday on Highway 20 west of Scotts Valley Road during rainy conditions.
Redwood Valley resident Wayne Stafford, 61, was riding his 1990 Harley west on Highway 20 at approximately 1:30 p.m. when the accident occurred, according to a report from Clear Lake Area California Highway Patrol officer Adam Garcia. Redwood Valley is approximately 21 miles northwest of Upper Lake. According to Garcia, witnesses reported that Stafford passed him and had been crossing double yellow lines.
“The initial investigation indicates that Stafford was left of the double yellow lines when he lost control of his motorcycle,” Garcia writes. The motorcycle slid onto its side and Stafford was thrown to the pavement. Both Stafford and the motorcycle were hit by an oncoming 1995 Toyota driven by Ukiah resident Thomas Brower, 51. Garcia said Brower slammed on his brakes but was unable to stop in time. Brower was reportedly uninjured.
Stafford was taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, according to the CHP report. Officer Greg Baxter is leading the ongoing investigation. Drugs and alcohol are not a factor at this time. “We won”t know until after the autopsy, but it”s not believed to be,” Garcia said.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
