A 29-year old Reno resident sustained moderate injuries in a single-vehicle collision that occurred September 14th, just north of Susanville, on Highway 139.
According to details released by the Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol the driver of a 2007 Harley Davidson, identified as Michael Martensen, was riding his motorcycle northbound on the highway at around 9:30a.m., when he and his riding companions passed a slow-moving water truck over a broken yellow line.
After the pass, the highway curved to the right and Martensen failed to negotiate the curve, crossing the southbound lane and traveling off of the pavement.
The motorcycle continued along the dirt shoulder and up a slight embankment before it struck a large rock causing both the Harley and Martensen to become airborne.
“When Mr. Martensen landed,” explains CHP Public Information Officer Kristin Wilburn, “he sustained unknown injuries to his right shoulder and he lost consciousness momentarily.”
Martensen was transported to Banner Lassen Medical Center where he was transferred to a Lifeflight helicopter and flown to RENOWN as a precautionary measure. The extent of Martensen’s injuries are unknown at this time.
“CHP would like to remind all motorcycle riders to always wear proper protective clothing and of course always wear a helmet,” said Wilburn.
For information on motorcycle training, visit www.chp.gov and navigate to the California Motorcyclist Safety Program.
