Two Riders Lost on Highway 9: Remembering the People Behind the Headlines

Tragic Crash in Our Own Backyard

This past Saturday, two riders—a 61-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman from Hayward—were killed in a head-on collision between their Harley-Davidson and a Tesla Model 3 on Highway 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

They were riding southbound through one of the most iconic, twisty stretches of road in Northern California, just below Highway 35. The Tesla was headed north—toward Silicon Valley—when, for reasons still under investigation, the two vehicles collided. Both riders were ejected from the motorcycle. Despite life-saving efforts, neither survived. The Tesla driver, an 18-year-old woman from San Jose, was uninjured.

We’re not sharing their names here out of respect for their families, but our hearts go out to the loved ones they left behind. They were someone's parents, someone’s children, someone’s best friends. People who likely spent that morning gearing up for a beautiful ride, not knowing it would be their last.

The Beauty—and Danger—of Highway 9

Highway 9 is a legendary route for Bay Area motorcyclists. It weaves through redwood forests, crests along mountain ridges, and offers views you can’t get from a freeway. It’s the kind of road that reminds riders why they fell in love with motorcycles in the first place.

But it also demands respect. The curves are sharp. Sightlines are short. Elevation changes quickly, and so does the pace of traffic—especially on weekends when out-of-towners head to the coast or return to the Valley.

For those heading southbound—like the riders in Saturday’s crash—you’re often riding against the grain of return traffic. You’re facing tired drivers who just want to get home, people who’ve spent the day at the beach or hiking Big Basin, who may be drunk, distracted, impatient, or simply unprepared for mountain driving thinking they can the turns much faster than they really can. Many of them have never taken a turn with proper line of sight, never learned how to downshift through a descent, never dealt with shadows that flicker like strobes through tree canopies.

Some roads are meant to be shared. Highway 9 isn’t always one of them.

When Things Go Wrong, Riders Pay the Price

We don’t know yet exactly what caused this crash. The CHP is still investigating. But here’s what we do know: riders almost always pay the steepest price. Helmets can save lives, but they can’t stop the laws of physics. A head-on collision with a two-ton electric car is rarely survivable.

And when crashes like this happen, insurance companies tend to fall back on tired stereotypes. They question the riders' decisions. They scrutinize speed. They ask whether a Harley should’ve been on that road at all.

We’re here to say: yes. Riders belong on these roads. But they deserve to be seen. They deserve to be respected. And when something goes wrong, their families deserve answers—and accountability.

For the Families Left Behind

To the family members of the two riders: we see you. We know that no legal action, no investigation, no headline or blog post can fill the hole left by their absence. But we want you to know that your loss matters. That your story is not just a statistic. And that, if you need help navigating what comes next—whether it’s dealing with insurance, planning a memorial ride, or just having someone listen—we’re here.

We’ve lost people too.

Ride Safe, Ride Smart—and Look Out for Each Other

To those still riding Highway 9, especially as summer weekends continue: stay sharp. Don’t assume the oncoming driver knows what they’re doing. Trust your instincts. Use your lights, your lane positioning, your voice when needed.

And if you’re driving Highway 9 in a car—especially if you're heading back to the South Bay—slow down. This road isn’t just a shortcut. It’s sacred ground to many riders. Treat it with the respect it deserves.

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If you've lost someone in a motorcycle crash like this, or if you've been seriously injured riding your bike on a Santa Cruz mountain road, reach out. We’re California’s Motorcycle Law Firm, and we’ve dedicated our practice to riders and their families. We don’t just know the law—we know these roads. And we’re here when you need us.