Police: Turlock man on stolen motorcycle hurt during chase

SONORA -- A Turlock man suffered major injuries when the stolen motorcycle he was driving hit a car near Sonora, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Joshua Lankford, 26, was riding a 2007 Honda on Highway 49 at 7:44 p.m. Saturday. Lankford was speeding; an officer tried to pull him over, but he drove away, and a pursuit ensued.

After roughly 11 miles, the CHP said, Lankford turned right onto Main Street. He was going roughly 60 mph when he came upon a 2005 Ford that was turning from Main into a parking lot.

The motorcycle hit the back of the car, knocking Lankford onto the road. He was airlifted to a Modesto hospital for treatment.