SLO County motorcyclist dies after crash with pickup truck in Nipomo
A vehicle crash in southern San Luis Obispo County killed a motorcyclist on Tuesday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol said.
Bakersfield resident Genaro Cortezbeltran, 36, was driving his green, 1996 Nissan pickup truck southbound down Hutton Road south of Joshua Street “in heavy stop and go traffic” on Tuesday afternoon, the CHP news release said.
Meanwhile, Nipomo resident Levi Lopez was riding his Harley Davidson northbound on Hutton Road south of Joshua Street “at an unknown speed,” the CHP said.
At about 4:15 p.m., Cortezbeltran initiated a U-turn and veered left across the northbound lane — directly into Lopez’s path.
Fatal crash between motorcycle and pickup truck in Nipomo
“Lopez applied his brakes, steered to the right, but was unable to avoid colliding with the Nissan,” the news release said.
The Nissan rolled over “and came to a rest blocking the southbound lane,” the CHP said.
Cortezbeltran and his passenger fled the scene of the crash, but were quickly detained by an off-duty CHP officer who saw the crash.
Lopez, 37, died of his injuries, the CHP said.
“Drugs or alcohol are not suspected as a factor in this crash,” the news release said.
