LAKE COUNTY ? Accidents claimed the lives of three motorcyclists since Sunday in Lake and Mendocino counties.
Motorcycle fatalities in California more than doubled from about 200 in 1998 to 463 in 2007, said Jaime Coffee, spokeswoman for CHP. Riders” injuries increased by more than 1,500 in four years to 10,799 in 2007. Lake and Mendocino county motorcyclist deaths have ranged from zero to three from 2003 to 2009, with preliminary numbers for 2008 and 2009.
Good weather and high gas prices cause more people to hop on motorcycles, which in turn leads to more fatal crashes, Coffee said. There are 1.2 million licensed motorcyclists in California.
Frank Hartmann IV, 21 of Clearlake, lost control of his motorcycle on a curve, struck and embankment and overturned, causing fatal injuries Wednesday on Harrington Flat Road in Lake County.
Glenn Brunskill of Danville was killed when he fell onto the side of his motorcycle and skidded into the path of a logging truck Tuesday on Highway 101 north of Leggett.
A man from American Canyon skidded around stopped traffic, overturned and sustained fatal injuries Sunday on Highway 101 north of Laytonville.
Coffee encourages motorcyclists of all ability levels to take classes through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Classes are available i
