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SALINAS, Calif. - Salinas Police are investigating a deadly motorcycle accident Tuesday night on Van Buren Avenue near Eisenhower Street. Family members tell Central Coast News the rider is dead and his girlfriend is in critical condition.
The accident happened shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Salinas' northside. According to family members, 29-year-old Jason Wheelus was the rider who lost control, crashing into the back of a Chevy pick-up truck -- they say he died from his injuries. On Wednesday morning, Salinas Police confirmed those details.
Salinas Police said the motorcycle was a Susuki GSXR 750.
Family also tells Central Coast News that Wheelus' passenger (and girlfriend) 24-year-old Melissa Williams is in critical condition at Santa Clara Regional Trauma Center. Salinas Police say she underwent surgery and is currently in the intensive care unit.
Immediately following the crash, Salinas Police told Central Coast News Wheelus was too unstable to fly out - and was going to be treated at a local hospital for his injuries. It was released Wednesday he had suffered severe internal injuries and was pronounced dead at Natividad Medical Center.
Salinas' traffic unit was on scene late into the evening, working to determine what caused Tuesday night's crash. Officers said, given the skid-marks, the motorcycle was likely traveling too fast and hit a parked truck around a curve on Van Buren, knocking Wheelus and Williams to the ground.
Russell Road was briefly shut down as a Cal-Star helicopter landed and transported Williams to Santa Clara Regional for her injuries.
Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has any information related to
it is asked to contact Officer Jeff Munoz at 831-758-7980.
