Preliminary reports indicate that multiple motorcyclists were lane-splitting through traffic when a driver made a turn in front of one of the riders. The rider was unable to avoid crashing into the vehicle
Auburn, CA – A motorcycle rider was injured in a collision with a vehicle near Auburn on Wednesday.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the wreck happened on Highway 65 on Wednesday, March 25.
Preliminary reports indicate that multiple motorcyclists were lane-splitting through traffic when a driver made a turn in front of one of the riders. The rider was unable to avoid crashing into the vehicle.
CHP Auburn reported that the rider was transported to a hospital with injuries believed to be major. He was only identified as a man in his 30s.
No other injuries were reported in the incident and the involved driver stayed at the scene after the accident.
Preliminary reports show that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was not suspected to have factored in the incident.
The California Highway Patrol is conducting an ongoing investigation into the collision.
California reports a promising decline in motorcycle fatalities, which dropped 10.2% from 649 in 2022 to 583 in 2023, with preliminary 2024–2025 data suggesting a continued downward trend. Despite this, motorcyclists remain overrepresented in traffic deaths, accounting for roughly 14% of all road fatalities while making up only 3% of registered vehicles. In 2023, serious injuries remained a significant concern, with Los Angeles (754) and San Diego (317) counties recording the highest volumes.
The primary causes of these incidents are consistently linked to behavioral and environmental factors. Unsafe speed is the leading primary crash factor (28.2%), followed by improper turning (19.8%) and automobile right-of-way violations (19.3%). Notably, broadside collisions—often occurring when a vehicle turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle—account for 31% of fatal and serious injury (FSI) crashes. Other major contributors include DUI (8.7%) and unsafe lane changes. To address these, California is expanding 2026 “Safe System” initiatives, prioritizing protected left-turn phases at high-volume intersections and promoting CHP-led rider training programs for high-risk urban areas.
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