Merced County, CA – According to the Modesto Bee, on the evening of Sunday, April 28, 2024, a motorcycle rider lost his life in a collision with an SUV on Highway 165 north of River Road. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has named 23-year-old Stevinson man Juan Granados as the SUV driver.
The CHP’s preliminary investigation revealed that a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Granados was traveling northbound on Highway 165 when a 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle approached from behind. For reasons yet unknown, the motorcycle collided with the rear of the Chevrolet, leading to the rider being ejected from the motorcycle and thrown off the Merced River Bridge.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene promptly, but unfortunately, the rider succumbed to his injuries before medical assistance could be provided. The victim, identified as a 37-year-old man believed to be from Turlock, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Granados was unharmed in the collision and cooperated with authorities. Further investigation revealed that Granados was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.
The exact cause of the incident remains under scrutiny as investigators work to piece together the events that led to the motorcycle rider’s untimely death.
Wrongful Death Claims
Establishing fault in a collision can depend on multiple factors. Helping to determine legal liability is one of the ways that a personal injury attorney can help grieving families recovering from the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident.
If it is determined that outside factors contributed to their loved one’s death, they may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim with the insurance provider of those responsible. A wrongful death claim can provide compensation to help cover hospital fees, burial costs, and the loss of support for dependents of the deceased.
