Motorcyclist dies after crashing into tree near Sonora Pass

A 26-year-old motorcyclist was killed Friday after crashing into a tree on State Route 108 near the Sonora Pass, according to California Highway Patrol.

Samuel Wesley Barton from Ames, Iowa, was riding a 2013 Suzuki motorcycle west on Highway east of Clarks Ford Road at an undetermined speed. The motorcycle traveled off the south shoulder of 108, where it crashed into a tree.

Barton, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in this crash, which is still under investigation.

“Warmer weather brings more motorcycle riders to our mountainous community. Please remember to travel at the posted speed limit, and if needed, slow down for the curves in the roadway,” stated Sonora Area Lt. Commander Randy Matyshock in the press release.

Julietta Bisharyan

The Modesto Bee

(209) 385-2402

Julietta Bisharyan covers equity issues for The Modesto Bee. A Bay Area native, she received her master’s in journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and her bachelor’s degree at UC Davis. She also has a background in data and multimedia journalism.