Two motorcyclists killed in separate but related incidents south of Fresno, CHP says

Two motorcyclists were killed in separate incidents south of Fresno on Friday afternoon, and preliminary reports from the California Highway Patrol indicate high speed and perhaps impatience played a role in the crashes.

The first incident occurred around 2 p.m. on southbound Highway 41 and Harlan Avenue, near Riverdale. An adult male on the motorcycle was approaching slower traffic on the 41 and started to pass vehicles in the center lane illegally at a high rate of speed and did not see the beginning of concrete wall.

The motorcyclist struck the wall as he attempted to pass traffic and ejected from the motorcycle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The second incident occurred about 20 minutes later at Mount Whitney and Elm avenues a short distance from the first fatal crash.

Traffic had slowed due to a detour from the first incident, and an adult male motorcyclist traveling at a high rate of speed and passing vehicles struck a pickup truck towing a trailer that had come to a stop.

He was ejected from the bike onto the road. He also was pronounced dead at the scene.