Crime & Safety

Update: Los Gatos Motorcyclist Killed Near Scotts Valley ID'd

Updated: 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, Bay City News Service: A 71-year-old Los Gatos man died in a crash near Scotts Valley on Wednesday while riding an all-electric motorcycle, authorities said today.

The victim has been identified by the Santa Cruz County coroner's office as Alan Yelensky.

At about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Yelensky was riding a 2014 Zero motorcycle south on Granite Creek Road near Blair Ranch Road south of Scotts Valley when he collided with a northbound Ford F-250 truck, California Highway Patrol Officer Leland Adkins said.

The collision caused Yelensky to be ejected from the motorcycle, and he landed about 15 feet down an embankment, Adkins said.

Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. The driver of the truck was not injured, Adkins said.

One of the two vehicles had apparently crossed over the double-yellow line that separates the two lanes on Granite Creek, Adkins said.

Zero Motorcycles, a company based in Scotts Valley, had manufactured the all-electric motorcycle Yelensky was riding, Adkins said.

The company this month released a 2014 rechargeable electric motorcycle with an accessory permitting drivers to travel up to 171 miles in the city and 88 miles on the highway on one charge, according to the company's website.

++++++++++++++++

Original story: noon, Thursday, Jan. 17: A 71-year-old Los Gatos motorcyclist died Wednesday afternoon after crashing his bike on Granite Creek Road, the CHP said. 

The accident occurred at about 1 p.m. when the Los Gatos rider, on a Zero motorcycle, traveling southbound on Granite Creek Road collided with a driver northbound on a Ford F-250, said CHP officer spokeswoman Sarah Jackson.

"They were coming towards each other and the two vehicles struck," Jackson said. 

The road, south of Blair Ranch Road, was closed for about two hours to allow CHP officers to investigate the accident, Jackson said.

The cause of the fatal wreck is still under investigation, Jackson added.

The bike the Los Gatos man was riding is manufactured in Scotts Valley, Jackson said.

Sign up for the free Los Gatos Patch newsletter | Like Los GatosPatch on Facebook | Follow @GatosPatch on Twitter | Blog on Los Gatos Patch | Follow Los Gatos Patch on Instagram    


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.