Rider killed, two others injured in separate motorcycle collisions in Merced County

One person died and two others were injured during separate motorcycle collisions this weekend in Merced County, according to authorities.

In both instances, all three people were ejected from the bike.

The first crash happened just before 9 a.m. Saturday.

California Highway Patrol officers responded to the area of Highway 165 and Turner Avenue near Hilmar, where a motorcyclist died, according to CHP Officer Eric Zuniga.

Authorities said a 19-year-old Mendota man was wearing a helmet while riding a 2000 Yamaha motorcycle south on Highway 165.

Zuniga said it appears the rider attempted to negotiate a curve in the road when the motorcycle veered to the right and traveled off the roadway. The rider laid the motorcycle down before colliding into a wooden pole. The rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

CHP said it was unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.

The other motorcycle collision occurred around 4:30 p.m. Sunday along Highway 99 north of Collier Road.

A 47-year-old male driver and 41-year-old female passenger were thrown off the bike after swerving to avoid an SUV.

CHP said the man and woman, who are both from Patterson, were riding a 2013 Yamaha motorcycle and going south on Highway 99 when a 2015 Mercedes SUV in from of them came to a sudden stop due to traffic.

CHP said the SUV had been traveling around 65 mph.

The motorcycle swerved to the left and struck a concrete guardrail in the center median before colliding with the SUV. Both riders were ejected.

The driver of the motorcycle was flown to an area hospital for treatment of major injuries and the passenger was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries, according to the CHP.

Both riders were wearing helmets.

The driver of the SUV was not injured. Authorities said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision.