San Rafael man killed in motorcycle crash on California

A San Rafael man was killed in a traffic collision Oct. 30 after falling into the path of a paratransit bus, police said.Thomas Jenkins, 65, was riding his motorcycle in the No. 2 lane of northbound Highway 101, south of North San Pedro Road in San Rafael, in heavy traffic around 5:30 p.m. when his vehicle’s brakes appeared to lock up, California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew Barclay said.Jenkins then lost control of the motorcycle and landed partially in the No. 1 carpool lane, Barclay said.Jill Tramontano, 62, of Fairfax, was driving a 2003 Ford F-350 paratransit bus for Whistlestop Wheels of San Rafael in the carpool lane behind the motorcycle at the time of the accident, Barclay said.Tramontano reportedly saw Jenkins fall and tried to slow the bus and steer to the left to avoid hitting him, but he was struck by the right rear of the vehicle, Barclay said.Tramontano immediately merged to the right and informed her dispatch center of the collision, Barclay said. Because she did not immediately stop, the CHP dispatch center received reports she was fleeing the scene.
Tramontano, however, exited the highway, informed the CHP of her location and said she was trying to return to the scene, Barclay said. She was told to stay in place and was contacted by CHP officers.
The CHP and the San Rafael Fire Department responded and found Jenkins deceased in the carpool lane, Barclay said.The two passengers Tramontano was transporting at the time were uninjured, and intoxication does not appear to be a factor in the crash, Barclay said.The collision closed the two left lanes of northbound Highway 101 between the Lincoln Avenue on-ramp and North San Pedro Road off-ramp for an hour and 45 minutes.