Salinas man dies on Holman Highway near Highway 1

ONTcRcY>> A Salinas man died Monday evening after crashing his motorcycle at the Holman Highway interchange to Highway 1.

According to the Monterey County Coroner’s Office, the man who died in the crash was Ryan Jozsef Sparks, 31. A Facebook post from American Legion Riders Chapter 31 — Monterey County stated Sparks was an Army veteran.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Stephanie and their two boys Josef and Dean; and with his father, ALR Chapter 31 member Angel Musones,” the post read. “Condolences are extended to his family and his circle of friends.”

The California Highway Patrol said it received a call at 5:23 p.m. that a man on a motorcycle had crashed at the interchange and an ambulance was responding. When officers arrived, they determined the man allowed his motorcycle to veer off the south roadway edge and onto the dirt shoulder in a right turn on the westbound Holman Highway ramp to northbound Highway 1.

The rider collided with a metal guardrail along the south roadway edge and was thrown from his 2018 Harley Davidson, the CHP said. As a result of the crash, Sparks succumbed to his injuries on scene.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol and or drugs caused this crash. This crash is still under investigation.

The CHP asks motorcyclists to minimize their risks by riding responsibly, which includes wearing a DOT-approved helmet, other protective gear, while never riding after consuming alcohol and/or drugs or while fatigued.