Cottonwood, CA (August 19, 2026) – A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries to his left side and face after being struck by a car on the southbound I-5 near the Sunset Hills Drive off-ramp on Wednesday morning, August 18, according to dispatch logs. The rider, who was reportedly traveling 78 mph when the other vehicle merged into him, went down in the roadway around 9:44 a.m.
All lanes were blocked while crews worked, and traffic backed up significantly. The rider was transported before lanes reopened around 10:07 a.m.
The investigation remains ongoing. We hope the rider has a full recovery.
Why Do Merging Vehicles Pose Extra Risk to Motorcyclists on Highways?
When a vehicle merges into an occupied lane, the driver typically relies on mirrors and a quick glance to confirm the lane is clear. A motorcycle’s narrower profile can make it easier to miss during this check, especially if it’s positioned in a blind spot at the moment the other driver looks.
Speed differences can also play a role, since a motorcycle traveling at highway speed covers ground quickly, sometimes faster than a merging driver expects when judging whether it’s safe to change lanes. This perceptual mismatch is part of why motorcycles are involved in a disproportionate share of merging-related crashes.
Investigators typically examine both vehicles’ speeds, positioning, and mirror visibility to understand how a merge like this went wrong. This kind of review helps establish whether the merging driver had a reasonable opportunity to see the motorcycle before changing lanes.
