Officer Kevin McArthur Identified as Victim in San Jose Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle accident occurred early Sunday, February 23, on the southbound Highway 87 connector ramp.

Preliminary reports by the California Highway Patrol indicated that the motorcyclist had been riding a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle on southbound Highway 87 going on to the connector ramp to southbound Highway 85.

Around 3:00 a.m. the motorcycle veered right and smashed into the concrete dividing wall. The motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycle and went over the wall. He plummeted almost 100 feet off of the connector ramp and into a patch of dirt.

The California Highway Patrol was at the scene of the accident at 3:07 a.m. and the motorcycle driver was pronounced dead at 3:23 a.m.

Preliminary reports did not disclose the driver’s name, however, it has been determined that the deceased was 33-year-old Kevin McArthur. McArthur was an officer for the Soledad Police Department.

McArthur had been a part of the Soledad Police Department since 2014. He was also a sergeant in the Army Reserve.

He had received the Officer of the Year award for the last two years.

He is survived by his parents who live in Salinas.

The California Highway Patrol has not released an official cause for McArthur hitting the concrete wall. They have not ruled out drugs and/or alcohol is a factor in the accident.

There are several injuries that can be sustained when falling from a distance like McArthur did. Rib fractures and head injuries are possible. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and hemothorax (blood in the chest cavity) are more common in falls with the impact that McArthur sustained.

There was no mention in the report if he was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. California law requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear a helmet when on a motorcycle.

The investigation into the cause of the accident is still being done by the California Highway Patrol.