LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Sacramento man died Sunday afternoon in a motorcycle wreck near Middletown.
Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office identified the man who died as John Michael Walker, 61.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said the crash occurred at approximately 12:49 p.m. Sunday on Butts Canyon Road, west of the Napa County line.
The CHP said Walker was riding a 2000 Honda RC51 motorcycle westbound at around 55 to 60 miles per hour when, for reasons still under investigation, he lost control of the motorcycle while negotiating a sweeping curve in the roadway.
The motorcycle overturned onto its left side and began traveling in a northeasterly direction toward a metal guardrail, the CHP said.
The CHP’s report said the Honda hit the guardrail, rotated and ejected Walker.
Medical personnel arrived on scene and despite life-saving efforts, Walker succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the report.
The CHP said Walker was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected as factors in the wreck, the CHP said.
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Sacramento man dies in motorcycle crash near Middletown
- Elizabeth Larson
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