Amador County – Four motorcyclists were killed in three crashes over 4 days on Highway 88 in Amador County, ending Sunday with the death of two people from Stockton, in a crash east of Cat Creek Road.

The reported fatal crashes involving motorcycles came as motorcycle enthusiasts have been making their way through Amador to Nevada for the annual “Street Vibrations” event.

California Highway Patrol reported that a man and a woman from Stockton died in a crash at 12:40 p.m. Sunday. The woman, age 79, was driving a 2009 Harley Davidson three-wheeled motorcycle, and the man, age 80, was a passenger.

They were west-bound on Highway 88, east of Cat Creek Road, CHP said, and was passing another motorist at the passing lanes. The Harley accelerated to a high rate of speed to compete the pass. The Harley entered a left-hand curve in the road, was unable to negotiate the curve and ran off the road and down a dirt embankment. The motorcycle struck trees and rocks and the driver and passenger were ejected. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene.

At about 2:15 p.m. Friday, a 68-year-old Lodi man was killed on Highway 88, west of Kirkwood Meadows, when he crashed his 1997 Honda motorcycle. CHP said the man was east-bound on 88, at about 35 mph. A second vehicle, a 2003 Peterbuilt, driven by Casey Ohalloran, 31, of Auburn, was west-bound at about 30 mph. As the Honda was rounding a right-hand curve, he lost control and crossed into the opposing westbound lane, directly into the path of the Peterbuilt. Ohlloran applied his brakes but was unable to avoid a collision and struck the Honda head-on. The Lodi man was ejected, and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

A woman was also killed last Thursday in a crash on Highway 88, west of Nobb Hill Court. CHP said the woman, whose age and hometown were not released, was driving a 2004 Harley Davidson east on 88, and crossed over the double yellow lines into the west-bound lane.

Gregory Ramirez, 36, of Jackson, was west-bound in a 2009 Isuzu box van when he saw the woman’s motorcycle in his lane. Ramirez steered toward the north roadway edge to try to avoid a collision. The Harley struck the right front of the van. The motorcycle continued north-east, running off the north roadway edge, where it struck an embankment.

CHP said the woman “sustained fatal injuries as a result of the initial impact.” Release of details of the decedents was pending notification of next of kin.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.