Local Motorcyclist Suffers Minor Injuries in Novato Accident

A San Rafael man suffered minor injuries after a motorcycle accident that occurred outside of Novato Saturday, where another motorcyclist struck an oncoming truck and suffered head injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At about 9 a.m., Timothy Michael Patricio of Kingston, Wash., was riding his 2004 Suzuki westbound on Novato Boulevard just west of Stafford Lake County Park among a group of riders with the San Marin Vintage Motorcycle Club. Patricio, 45, was riding near Stanley Epstein, 57, of San Rafael, who was on a 1969 Ducati. Both were going about 35 to 40 mph, the CHP said.

Club members were riding behind a truck and horse trailer traveling west and decided to cross over a solid double-yellow lines to pass. As the riders began to pass, they saw an oncoming 1993 Dodge Ram 250, driven by 72-year-old William Nichols, of Pahrump, Nev.

While attempting to avoid a collision with the oncoming Dodge, Patricio and Epstein collided with each other, causing each rider to lose control and become separated from their bikes. Patricio sailed directly into the path of the oncoming truck and wase hit, coming to rest within the traffic lanes.

An emergency helicopter responded to the crash site and transported Patricio to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for possible head trauma, the CHP said. Epstein sustained minor injuries and was not hospitalized.

CHP personnel and a Marin County Sheriff deputy provided traffic control while CHP officers investigated the collision and emergency medical personnel attended to the two parties.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not believed to be a factor to this collision, the CHP said.

Editor's note: In an earlier version of this story, it stated that the accident occured on a different day.