CHP: Motorcyclist crashes, flees, leaves bike behind

An Olivehurst man ran from emergency responders after allegedly crashing his motorcycle into a vehicle Tuesday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Some of Michael Hammond’s friends went to the scene a short time later, loaded the 2002 Honda sport bike into a pick up truck and “fled to a nearby house,” the CHP said in a statement.

Hammond, 29, apparently made it back to his home before realizing he needed medical treatment. He was taken by ambulance to Rideout Hospital where he was treated and released for unspecified “moderate” injuries, authorities said.

Witnesses told the CHP that Hammond was riding north on Fleming Way around 4:45 p.m. “at a high rate of speed,” well in excess of the 25 mph limit for the residential neighborhood.

Investigators said Marisela Jimenez, 43, of Olivehurst, was eastbound on Eighth Avenue and “did not see Hammond approaching the intersection.”

The CHP said “Hammond lost control of the motorcycle and laid it down on its’ left side,” sliding into the right side of Jimenez’s 2003 Honda Civic.

Jimenez was not reported injured.

Olivehurst firefighters attempted to help Hammond, but he allegedly fled on foot, the CHP said.

A short time later, several people, later identified as friends of Hammond, retrieved the damaged bike and took it to a nearby home, the CHP said.

Hammond has not been arrested, but the CHP said he is suspected of riding his motorbike on a suspended license, leaving the crash scene, and riding without insurance.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.