Motorcycle rider killed in Merced County crash south of Gustine, CHP says

A motorcycle rider was killed Wednesday in a two-vehicle collision in Merced County, according to authorities.

At about 4:54 p.m., Los Banos area California Highway Patrol officers responded to a report of traffic collision near the intersection of Whitworth Road and Taglio Road south of Gustine, according to a CHP news release.

Authorities said 84-year-old George Griset of Gustine, was driving a 2019 Honda north on Whitworth Road at slow speeds approaching the intersection with Taglio Road preparing to make a left turn.

At the same time, a man was riding a 2004 Suzuki motorcycle southbound on Whitworth Road and approaching the intersection with Taglio Road at a high rate of speed.

The vehicles collided in the intersection resulting in fatal injuries to the motorcyclist, the CHP said.

The name of the motorcyclist has not been released pending notification of family or next of kin.

Griset sustained minor injures in the crash, which remains under investigation. Neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision, the CHP said.