Officials identify bike crash victim

Man reportedly going at ‘extremely high rate of speed’

LOS GATOS — The motorcyclist who was killed in a crash Tuesday on southbound Highway 17 has been identified by the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office as Steven Smith.

Smith, 42, of Cupertino, was traveling at an “extremely high rate of speed” when he hit another vehicle and was thrown into some trees on the shoulder, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The collision was reported at 8:10 p.m. just south of Lark Avenue.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcyclist was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed and using both lanes of traffic when he made an “unsafe turning movement” and collided with the right rear of a Jeep Cherokee in the right lane, according to the CHP.

The CHP said the motorcyclist was thrown into some trees on the shoulder. The driver of the Jeep, a 49-yearold Phoenix, Arizona, woman, pulled over and waited for officers to arrive.

Smith was rushed to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, where he was later pronounced dead.

The collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the case can call the CHP at 408-4675400. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call 800-835-5247.