fatal crash altar bridge street
Photo: Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office identified the motorcyclist that died July 1 in a crash on Bridge Street as German Melgoza Menchaca, 28, of Watsonville, Public Information Officer Ashley Keehn said. Shown here, an altar of flowers, candles, notes and photos has been set up near the crash site. A witness said Menchaca ran a stop sign on Bridge Street on his Ducati motorcycle at a high speed. He collided with an SUV that was pulling out from a stop sign at Hushbeck Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The SUV driver suffered minor to moderate injuries, Watsonville Police said. The incident is still under investigation. A fundraiser has been set up to help defray funeral costs. To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/german-melgozas-funeral-expenses.

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Tarmo Hannula has been the lead photographer with The Pajaronian newspaper in Watsonville since 1997. More recently Good Times & Press Banner. He also reports on a wide range of topics, including police, fire, environment, schools, the arts and events. A fifth generation Californian, Tarmo was born in the Mother Lode of the Sierra (Columbia) and has lived in Santa Cruz County since the late 1970s. He earned a BA from UC Santa Cruz and has traveled to 33 countries.

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