PLACER COUNTY, California — A somber incident unfolded on Saturday, March 16, 2024, when a 56-year-old man from Colfax lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Placer County. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the fatal crash occurred after the rider lost control of his motorcycle, veering off a rural road.
The incident was reported around 7:45 p.m. when the Placer County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a passerby regarding a motorcycle crash near the intersection of Bell Road and Burt Lane, just north of Auburn. Although the passerby did not witness the crash, they informed sheriff’s dispatchers that the rider was unresponsive.
Upon receiving the report, CHP officers and medical personnel promptly responded to the scene of the accident. Subsequent investigations revealed that the Colfax resident had been operating a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling west on Bell Road and nearing Burt Lane at the time of the incident.
According to statements from the CHP Auburn Area Office, the man lost control of his motorcycle for reasons yet to be determined, subsequently careening off the road. The impact threw him off the motorcycle, resulting in his fatal injuries. It was noted that the rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, yet it was unable to prevent the tragedy.
While mechanical failure has been ruled out as a contributing factor by the CHP, investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing. As of Sunday, authorities remained uncertain whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the untimely passing of the Colfax resident and awaits further updates from the authorities regarding this tragic event.
