Motorcyclist clips SUV on Highway 99, falls down embankment in Modesto

A motorcyclist driving southbound on Highway 99 just before the Carpenter Road interchange in Modesto clipped the edge of a small sport-utility vehicle, causing his bike to veer out of control and throwing the driver down an embankment, emergency crews said.

“The motorcycle spun out and basically disintegrated,” said Modesto Fire Department Battalion Chief Hugo Patino.

The accident happened around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The motorcyclist was taken by ambulance to a hospital. The extent of his injuries was unknown. No one else was injured, Patino said.

This story was originally published May 9, 2015 at 7:04 PM with the headline "Motorcyclist clips SUV on Highway 99, falls down embankment in Modesto."