CLEARLAKE ? A Clearlake man suffered major injuries as a result of a traffic crash on Saturday. According to a family member, Mike Hammes, 35, is expected to recover from injuries sustained in the crash.
Lake County Fire Protection District responded to the scene at approximately 12:25 p.m. as did Clearlake Police Department. REACH air ambulance also responded to the scene; however, due to weight limitations of the aircraft, the patient was transported via ambulance to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake where he was evaluated for further transport.
According to Clearlake Police Officer Todd Miller, Hammes, who was riding a Suzuki motorcycle, was traveling northbound on Burns Valley Road behind a silver Dodge Durango, occupied by two Hidden Valley Lake residents. Miller said the Durango slowed to make a right turn into a vacant lot when Hammes attempted to pass the vehicle on the right side of the roadway.
Hammes allegedly sideswiped the Durango, slid into a tree and was ejected from the motorcycle.
