Burns, OR : 71-year-old California motorcyclist died after colliding with another vehicle on U.S. Highway 20 near Burns on Thursday afternoon, June 18, 2015

Oregon State Police say a 71-year-old California motorcyclist has died in eastern Oregon after colliding with another motorcycle apparently being ridden by his traveling companions.

Lt. Bill Fugate said a motorcycle operated by Steven Gale of Montara, California, collided Thursday afternoon with the rear of another motorcycle on U.S. Highway 20 near Burns, Oregon. The second motorcycle, operated by 65-year-old Robert Resch of Half Moon Bay, California, crashed on the highway. Resch and his passenger, 54-year-old Janet Kluzik of Half Moon Bay, were both ejected.

Police say that after the initial crash, Gale's motorcycle veered head-on into the path of a pickup truck. Gale died at the scene.

Resch suffered minor injuries. His passenger was flown to a Bend hospital with serious injuries.

Fugate says preliminary information indicates the two motorcycles had been traveling together and got separated. He says it appears Gale was traveling at a high rate of speed when he collided with Resch, who had just pulled out of a rest area.

Source :
Ore. State Police: 2 Calif. motorcyclists traveling together crash, 1 killed