A Crescent City man was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter following a head-on collision with a motorcycle on the Willits Bypass at about 2:55 a.m. Thursday.

Michael Lee Confer, 30, was driving a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix north on U.S. 101 near Main Street in Willits at an unknown rate of speed when he allowed his vehicle to travel over the double yellow lines and into the path of a 2007 BMW motorcycle traveling roughly 55 mph southbound, according to a California Highway Patrol news release.

The Grand Prix collided head-on with the motorcycle ejecting the 68-year-old rider and the motorcycle over the side of the elevated bypass where they came to rest below, according to the news release. The Grand Prix ignited and caught fire.

U.S. 101 was closed for two hours for emergency response and investigation, according to the CHP.

The motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene, according to the news release. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Confer was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on suspicion of driving while under the influence of a controlled substance. The incident is still under investigation, according to the CHP.

CHP officers closed U.S. 101 for about two hours.

SHARE →