Modesto motorcyclist in fatal crash identified

OAKDALE -- The motorcyclist who died from injuries suffered in a crash on the Oakdale-Waterford Highway was identified Thursday as 23-year-old Luis Rodriguez of Modesto.

The California Highway Patrol reported that excessive speed contributed to Rodriguez losing control of his Suzuki Hayabusa while traveling west near Albers Road on Wednesday afternoon.

He couldn't negotiate a curve and rode from the asphalt onto the dirt shoulder. Rodriguez's motorcycle hit a bump and he was thrown from it into an orchard, where he hit an almond tree.

He was taken by ambulance to Oak Valley Hospital in Oakdale, where he was pronounced dead.

The CHP reported that Rodriguez was wearing a helmet.