SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A motorcyclist was killed when he lost control on Empire Grade north of Bonny Doon in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the California Highway Patrol said Saturday.
The crash occurred about 2 p.m. Friday on the roadway south of Alba Road, the CHP said.
The victim, a 28-year-old man from New Jersey, was driving a black 2023 BMW S1000RR motorcycle when he came off the bike and crashed into a pole. The BMW came to rest down an embankment both located east of southbound Empire Grade.
The cause of the crash was under investigation. It was unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were factors in the crash.
Copyright © 2026 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Santa Cruz, CA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.