Motorcycle rider suffers major injuries in Merced County crash, CHP says

A motorcycle rider was taken to a hospital with major injuries after a two-vehicle collision in Merced County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers responded about 5:13 p.m. to a collision near North Santa Fe Drive and West Avenue Two, just outside the city of Atwater, according to Sgt. Shane McConnell.

A 20-year-old Lodi man was riding a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle east on North Santa Fe Drive when he collided with the right rear side of a 2015 Ford Escape attempting to turn onto West Avenue Two from the left turn lane of westbound North Santa Fe Drive, according to Officer Eric Zuniga.

The driver of the Ford was identified as Major Singh, 54, of Manteca. Zuniga said Singh was traveling with a 16-year-old and 52-year-old female passengers. The juvenile complained of pain and no other injuries were reported.

The motorcycle rider was airlifted to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto and is in critical condition, according to Zuniga. The CHP said speed may have been a factor in the collision.

The collision remains under investigation.

This story was originally published February 21, 2022 at 7:09 PM.