52-year-old motorcyclist killed in crash on Highway 198 near Hanford

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) -- The California Highway Patrol says a man was killed Saturday following a head-on crash on Highway 198 in Kings County.

Investigators say just after 12:45 p.m., 18-year-old Juan Estrada was driving his 1999 Toyota pickup truck east on Highway 198 near 7th Avenue, just east of Hanford. A 52-year-old motorcyclist and his passenger, 49-year-old Kathy Rodriguez, were heading west.

Officers say for an undetermined reason, Estrada veered to his left, traveled across a dirt center median and collided head-on with the motorcycle.

The motorcycle driver died at the scene. His name has not been released.

Rodriguez was flown to Community Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

Photos taken by an Action News insider showed an ambulance and the medical transport helicopter at the scene.

Both Rodriguez and the driver of the motorcycle were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Estrada was not wearing his seatbelt but was not hurt.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The use of drugs and/or alcohol are not suspected but have not yet been ruled out.

Stay with ABC30 for the latest details on this developing story.