Two Accidents Tuesday Afternoon on Hwy 17 Near Los Gatos

A motorcyclist sustained minor injuries this afternoon when he collided with a red Toyota Yaris traveling northbound on Highway 17, just south of Los Gatos-Saratoga Road.

The accident occurred at 5:12 p.m. and the rider, on board a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was transported to Valley Medical Center in San Jose after dislocating his left shoulder, suffering an abrasion to his right hand and left knee, said California Highway Patrol officer Peter Van Eckhardt.

The driver of the Toyota didn't suffer any injuries and the vehicle was driveable, Van Eckhardt said.

Another accident was also reported on southbound Highway 17, north of Lark Avenue at 5:54 p.m., but it involved property damage and no bodily injuries, Van Eckhardt said.

The CHP was en-route to help with that collision at the time of this posting, Van Eckhardt said.

About the recent increase in accidents on the dangerous highway, Van Eckhardt explained that they're related to the warming weather and the summertime making people drive more on the roadway to get to Santa Cruz and enjoy the nice weather.

"It's hit or miss. It does come in waves like this," he said about the recent spate of accidents on Highway 17.

Van Eckhardt said these motorists often don't know where the highway needs to be driven at slower speeds or the areas that have issues so "you get people who are not familiar with the roadway and make the wrong turn at the wrong time. That makes for an increase in bumper incidents."

Routine commuters know where to drive, what lanes to be in and don't make a lot of lane changes and "just want to get home," he said.