San Benito County, CA – A motorcyclist was killed in a single-vehicle crash Friday afternoon, June 20, 2025, near Panoche Road in the Paicines area, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) received the first report of the incident at 3:51 PM. Emergency responders were initially directed to an area described as “into the ranch,” where the crash had occurred on a hillside. Responders, including air support and medical personnel, were escorted to the scene by ranch workers.
The first emergency crews reached the entrance to the property around 4:18 PM and arrived at the crash site shortly thereafter. By 4:35 PM, the coroner had arrived and confirmed the fatality. The victim has not been identified pending notification of next of kin.
Officials report that the motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the crash. There was no indication of another vehicle contributing to the incident, and no DUI evaluation was conducted. The local sheriff’s department was notified, and family members were reportedly already at the scene when authorities arrived.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages.
