Merced coroner identifies motorcycle rider killed in crash with construction vehicle

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a motorcycle rider who died Sunday after crashing into a sign and a truck on a Merced County Highway as 59-year-old Douglas McIntire, according to Deputy Michael Domingue.

At bout 11:22 p.m., Los Banos area California Highway Patrol officers responded to the area of Highway 152 and Gonzaga Road for a report of a crash involving a motorcycle and a construction truck, according to the CHP. Authorities said a preliminary investigation shows the Los Banos man was riding a 2022 Honda motorcycle westbound on Highway 152 approaching the off-ramp to Gonzaga Road which was closed with signage and construction cones.

The CHP said it appears the man allowed the motorcycle to strike a wooden closure sign and lost control of the motorcycle before both he and the motorcycle impacted a rear attenuator of a 2013 Freightliner truck. The truck was parked on the off-ramp to protect workers within the roadway, according to the CHP.

McIntire suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. The CHP said it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.