Driver killed and passenger injured in Modesto motorcycle crash

A motorcycle driver died and a passenger suffered major injuries Sunday night in Modesto. The collision occurred on Highway 132 east of Greer Road, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Officers responded to reports of the wreck around 8:20 p.m. It is unknown if drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident.

Investigators found an overturned motorcycle off the roadway. Both the driver and a passenger were located nearby. Officers confirmed that both riders wore helmets.

The motorcycle was speeding past vehicles on the right shoulder of eastbound Highway 132. The driver lost control. The vehicle crossed traffic lanes and left the roadway to the north.

The motorcycle overturned. Both riders were ejected.

Emergency responders pronounced the driver dead at the Modesto scene. The passenger, a 36-year-old woman from Waterford, was taken to a hospital with major injuries.

The California Highway Patrol investigates major traffic collisions on state routes. Officers document physical evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events. Collision reports help determine the factors involved.

The crash remains under review by state officers in Modesto.