MENDOCINO CO., 1/31/19 — A 62 year old man was killed today when he drove his Harley Davidson motorcycle into opposing traffic and collided head on with a Toyota Camry on Hwy. 20, near Marina Dr. According to a press release from the California Highway Patrol the man was from Redwood Valley. His identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The woman driving Toyota suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Adventist Health Ukiah, she is 37 and from Lakeport. A third car, driven by a 62 year old Ukiah man, struck the rear of the Toyota after the initial accident, but the driver suffered no injuries.
The accident caused the closure of Hwy. 20 from about 5:30 p.m. today, and took some time to clear.
An trucker who was driving east on Hwy. 20 witnessed the accident and explained that it appeared that the man was attempting to pass cars coming around a curve, when he plowed into the Toyota, causing him to fly off the road and a few feet down a hillside.
Here is the CHP summary of the event:
On 01/31/2019 at approximately 1650 hours, a silver 2018 Toyota Camry was traveling eastbound on SR-20, west of marina Dr, at approximately 55 mph. A white 2001 Chevrolet Colorado was traveling eastbound behind the Toyota Camry. A 2004 Harley Davidson was traveling westbound on SR-20 in the eastbound lane, directly in front of the Toyota Camry at a high rate of speed. The front end of the Harley Davidson collided with the front end of the Toyota Camry. The driver of the Chevrolet Colorado swerved to the left to avoid the collision and the right front of his vehicle collided with the left front of the Toyota Camry. The driver of the Harley Davidson sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision. The driver of the Toyota Camry sustained moderate injuries as a result of this collision and was transported by ambulance to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. The driver of the Chevrolet Colorado was uninjured. There were no passenger involved in this collision. This traffic collision is still under investigation. CHP
And here is our initial reporting:
the man that died in this accident was my brother Joe Harrison . he was a very good man with a kind heart and great love of his family,friends and animals .
I not only lost my brother and best friend but all us lost a kind ,giving man .
so sorry for your loss.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Hi Jim, our condolences about the loss of your brother. If you would like to publish any obituary or memorial information we will publish it free of charge, which is our policy. You can get in touch at info@mendovoice.com.
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. Not here to make it worse for you, but I am from a nurse at the hospital that the driver Katie Smith was testing positive for drugs in her blood. Can’t stand drunk drivers and my thoughts are with your family during this trying time.
We’d prefer you not make these kinds of accusations in the comment section. If you have a tip please contact us at tips@mendovoice.com
I’m so very sorry for your loss.. I met Joe last summer.. what a great guy?
Jim, biggest hugs.. 🙁 he will be missed.. been a ruff an very long day. Hugs we are here for you all.
Hi Jim I went to school with your brother. I am so sorry for your loss and for the rest of the family.
I want to respond to post by “Sarah H” This person is not a nurse associated with AHUV. The information she claims to have is untrue and this post should be removed immediately.
Joe was my best friend in Junior high and high school Joe and Jeff and me would ride bicycles
through the back roads near lake Mendocino and everywhere else
then High school Motorcycles, Cars, and girlfriends then life and got back in contact around
ten years ago Joe always talked about his family, Grand kids and His truck He was always happy to hear from me
Thanks Joe for your friendship I know your still going strong Emmett