Coroner identifies Modesto man killed when Harley collides head-on with big rig

A 42-year-old Modesto man was killed in a Merced County crash when his motorcycle ran head-on into a big rig, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man was on a 2009 Harley-Davidson headed east on Turlock Road halfway between Snelling and Ballico about 2:14 p.m. Sunday, CHP said. He was identified as Luis Sanchez, the Merced County Coroner’s Office said on Wednesday.

For unknown reasons, Sanchez allowed the motorcycle to drift into the westbound lane as a 2012 Volvo Semi driven by 38-year-old Adam Berryhill of Hilmar was traveling west, east of Looney Road, CHP said.

The vehicles collided head-on in the westbound .ane, CHP said. Sanchez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Berryhill was not under the influence at the time of the collision, CHP said.

This story was originally published April 23, 2019 at 2:00 PM.