Motorcyclist Killed, His Brother Arrested After Fatal Crash in North Bay

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – The California Highway Patrol has identified a motorcyclist who died when his motorcycle crashed during a pursuit by Petaluma police Sunday as Jose Francisco Martinez, 32, of Rancho Cordova.

Martinez and his brother Josue Reynaldo, 25, of Rancho Cordova, were racing their motorcycles in the area of Ely Boulevard South and Adobe Creek Drive southeast of Petaluma around 5:15 p.m., CHP Officer Kerri Post
said.

A Petaluma police car pulled behind the motorcycles with its lights and sirens on and the brothers continued speeding on Ely Boulevard South south of Frates Road, Post said.

Reynaldo stopped his motorcycle, the Petaluma officer swerved to avoid hitting him and continued pursuing Martinez. When the officer crested a hill he saw Martinez's motorcycle had crashed, Post said.

Petaluma police said Martinez suffered major injuries and died at the scene, and Reynaldo was arrested on suspicion of DUI. He was booked into Sonoma County Jail and has since posted bail.

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