Golden Gate Bridge Reopens After Fatal Motorcycle Crash [UPDATED]

SAUSALITO, CA — A fatal motorcycle crash blocked northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 101 on the Golden Gate Bridge for more than an hour Friday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported around 5:55 p.m. north of the north tower, CHP Marin Area Spokesman Andrew Barclay said.

"Callers advised that a motorcycle had been traveling at a very high rate of speed and in a reckless manner before losing control and colliding with the railing on the right side of the roadway," Barclay said.

The rider suffered major injuries in the collision and landed in the roadway, but was not struck any vehicles. Instead, Barclay said, several motorists who witnessed the crash stopped and tried to help him to no avail.

The victim was pronounced dead by paramedics with the Southern Marin Fire Protection District.

Along with CHP and Southern Marin Fire, the Golden Gate Bridge Patrol and Golden Gate Bridge Tow Service responded to the scene.

A Sig-alert was issued for all northbound lanes at 6:16 p.m., and the coroner was called to the scene shortly after that.

Golden Gate Bridge personnel moved the median barrier to a four north/two south configuration to allow for one northbound lane to reopen. At 6:51 p.m., another northbound lane was opened, leaving the slow lane closed for investigation.

At 7:42 p.m., all northbound lanes were reopened.

Barclay said based CHP's preliminary investigation, it believed that the motorcyclist was speeding in and out of traffic as he traveled northbound across the span of the bridge. While in the slow lane, he began to enter a sweeping left curve in the road. As he was passing the north anchorage of the bridge, Barclay said, the rider allowed his bike to drift to the right and into the rail that separates the road from the sidewalk — causing him to be ejected from the motorcycle and onto the roadway.

The identity of the victim, whose age and city of residence were not disclosed, will be released by the Marin County Sheriff's Coroner Division once his family members are notified.

— Bay City News Service

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