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Motorcycle-Car Collision Results In One Fatality
CHP Door

An Oakdale man died Sunday evening of injuries sustained in a car-motorcycle crash along Highway 108 between Riverbank and Oakdale, the incident occurring shortly after 7 p.m. on Feb. 12.

According to the CHP report, the crash was near Snedigar Road along the highway, in an unincorporated area of Stanislaus County. The Merced Communications Center received a call of the collision about 7:08 p.m. and dispatched officers from the Modesto CHP office to the scene.

“Upon further investigation, it was determined there were two traffic collisions, involving three vehicles, which resulted in one fatality,” the CHP report stated.

The motorcyclist, who suffered fatal injuries, was identified by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office as Justin Rosa, 28, of Oakdale. Notification to his next of kin was completed on Monday, said authorities.

CHP investigating officers said an 85-year-old man from Manteca was driving a 2005 Mercury westbound on Highway 108, west of Snedigar Road, with Rosa on a 1999 Suzuki motorcycle, directly ahead of the Mercury. For an unknown reason, the driver of the Mercury failed to slow down as he approached the rear of the motorcycle and the front end of the car collided with the back end of the motorcycle. The collision pushed the Suzuki in a westerly direction and Rosa – who was wearing safety equipment – was ejected into the eastbound lane of the highway.

At the same time, authorities said, a 50-year-old man from Stockton, driving a 1998 Toyota, was eastbound on Highway 108 west of Snedigar Road, approaching the scene of the collision. The driver did not see the motorcyclist lying in the eastbound lane and the Toyota subsequently struck the cyclist. Rosa was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no injuries reported to either of the other two drivers involved.

Authorities said it did not appear that speed or alcohol contributed to the collision. Highway 108 at Snedigar Road was closed for about an hour while the investigation was conducted on Sunday evening. The CHP said traffic conditions were light at the time of the crash, and there was only minimal delay for motorists traveling through the area.