MIDDLETOWN >> A motorcycle rider from Hidden Valley Lake died on Saturday after losing control and colliding with a car on Highway 175 near Middletown. The victim’s name has not been released.
The incident took place at approximately 4:30 p.m. near the intersection with Socrates Mine Road.
According to California Highway Patrol investigator Rob Hearn, the rider was traveling up Cobb Mountain from Middletown at a high rate of speed when he entered a right turn and began to skid. The motorcycle tipped on its side with the rider and slid across double yellow lines into the eastbound lane.
The driver of the other vehicle, a 2002 Chrysler, was approaching the turn in the eastbound land at 25 to 30 mph. Hearn reported that the driver spotted the motorcycle and rider entering his lane and tried to stop, but the momentum of the slide led to a collision.
Emergency crews arrived quickly, but were not able to revive the rider. The CHP did not release the name of the other driver involved.
The reported did not indicate drugs or alcohol as causes. Investigators have yet to determine the speed at which the rider entered the turn.
