Motorcycle rider killed in Highway 152 collision identified as a 71-year-old man

A 71-year-old man was identified as the motorcycle rider killed in Tuesday’s collision.

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office said Frank Castro of Los Banos died from a solo motorcycle crash just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, in the area of eastbound Highway 152, east of the Romero Visitor Center.

Authorities said Castro was riding a 2005 Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on Highway 152 in the No. 1 lane at about 70 mph. When he attempted to negotiate a curve in the road, the motorcycle left the roadway and into a dirt and gravel median where it struck a guardrail.

According to the CHP, Castro was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision but suffered fatal injures. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision.