Motorcycle crash near Willits sends one to the hospital

A motorcycle passenger was injured near Willits on Thursday morning when an unsecured jacket became entangled in the rear wheel and caused the bike to crash.

The Highway Patrol said the rear wheel of the motorcycle locked up, causing the 2005 Suzuki SV650 to go down in the fast lane at about 55 miles per hour. The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of Highway 101, just north of Ridgewood Road, around 11 a.m.

The passenger, Patricia Stone, 37, of Santa Rosa was taken by helicopter to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Her injuries were described as moderate, according to the Highway Patrol.

The driver of the motorcycle, Eric Oliver, 37, had minor injuries and was not hospitalized.

Neither alcohol or drugs was a factor in the collision, according to the CHP.