Motorcycle rider killed in Merced County traffic collision north of Delhi, CHP says

A motorcycle rider died Tuesday following a collision with an SUV in Merced County northwest of Delhi, according to the California Highway Patrol.

According to Officer Eric Zuniga, officers responded to the collision involving a Ford Escape SUV and Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle on West Bradbury Road at Merced Avenue in an unincorporated area of Merced County at 5:22 p.m..

Arriving units located the motorcycle rider, identified as Patrick Mulvihill, 38, of Waterford, lying in the roadway and both Merced and Modesto area officers began CPR, according to the CHP.

Riggs Ambulance Service and fire personnel arrived on scene and and assisted in life saving measures but Mulvihill succumbed to his injuries, according to Zuniga.

The CHP said a preliminary investigation revealed that Mulvihill was traveling westbound on West Bradbury Road at about 55 mph approaching the intersection with Merced Avenue. The Ford, driven by Ralph Saxton, 51, of Modesto, was traveling eastbound on West Bradbury Road at about 55 mph and made a left turn directly in front of the motorcycle rider.

As a result, Mulvihill collided with the Ford and the SUV rolled over, coming to rest on its roof, according to Zuniga. Authorities said Saxton was not injured and Mulvihill was wearing a helmet.

According to Zuniga, Saxton was cooperative with officers and neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision.

This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 6:46 PM.