Two killed in separate motorcycle accidents

A California man and woman, both motorcyclists, were killed in separate accidents this past weekend.

A 49-year-old Pasadena man died on Spooner Summit when he lost control on his way to Street Vibrations in Reno.

According to witness Tish Denehie, the man was eastbound on Highway 50 six miles from Highway 395, when he began to ride on the asphalt shoulder, slowing his speed to 35 or 40 mph prior to the wreck.

"Then he started to wobble and all of a sudden just began to cartwheel, end over end," said Denehie, who was riding in a following car.

She said the victim was part of her group, a caravan of cars and motorcycles, which left a few hours earlier from Cameron Park, Calif., near Placerville, to the area's biggest motorcycle rally. An estimated 40,000 motorcyclists and enthusiasts converged on Northern Nevada for the five-day event.

"I just met him this morning," Denehie said. "I'm in shock."

As witnesses filled out statements and the man's girlfriend, who was riding her own bike, was consoled by friends, dozens of motorcyclists descended the summit, presumably on their way to Street Vibrations.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, a truck pulling a trailer may have been pushed by the wind across lanes in front of an oncoming motorcycle on Highway 88 and Dressler Lane.

The female motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The NHP enlisted the help of the California Highway Patrol and Alpine County Sheriff's Department to control the traffic.

Another motorcyclist was injured at the Mount Rose junction at highways 341 and 395.

The man was taken to Washoe Medical Center with unknown injuries.