UPDATED: Caltrans Motorcyclist Killed In Traffic Collision Identified
PLEASANT GROVE (CBS13) - A Caltrans employee riding a motorcycle to the department's annual memorial was killed after crashing into a car that ran a red light, California Highway Patrol says.
A woman driving on northbound Highway 99 was making a left turn onto Riego Road in Pleasant Grove as she left the highway. CHP says she went through a red light when 51-year-old Dean Patton -- riding a Harley Davidson -- crashed into the vehicle and was ejected from the bike around 8:20 a.m. Thursday.
"Caltrans is mourning this tremendous loss that the Patton family and their friends have suffered," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
Patton was part of a pack of about a dozen riders headed to Caltrans' 23rd Annual Workers Memorial to honor 180 fallen highway workers.
"He was a good man and will be missed by all who worked with him and knew him," said Dougherty.
All lanes on Riego Road were reopened around 10:40 a.m.
The accident is under investigation, CHP says, and charges against the woman are pending. However, officials say neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a contributing factor.
The name of the driver has not yet been released.
Patton is survived by his wife, mother, son, two daughters, and three granddaughters.
