Authorities identify motorcycle rider killed in crash on Merced County highway

A motorcycle rider killed in a crash on a Merced County highway over the weekend has been identified by authorities.

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified the motorcycle rider as 49-year-old Wesley Wrinkles. Authorities said Wrinkles’ passenger was injured in the crash.

California Highway Patrol officers responded shortly after midnight Sunday, to a crash involving a motorcycle on Highway 99 just south of Mission Avenue. The CHP said the man was riding a Honda sport bike with a female passenger traveling northbound on Highway 99 when for unknown reasons, the motorcycle left the roadway and crashed into the center median barrier.

Both the rider and passenger were wearing helmets and both were ejected from the motorcycle during the crash. Wrinkles was pronounced dead at the scene and the female passenger was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto for treatment of major injuries.

Authorities said the cause of the crash is under investigation and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact CHP Officer Abdiel Enriquez at 209-356-6600.