Motorcycle rider killed in Highway 101 rear-end crash identified

A motorcycle passenger killed in a crash Tuesday on Highway 101 was identified as Melissa Irene Jackson, 22, of Middletown, Sonoma County sheriff’s coroner officials said Wednesday.

Jackson was riding on a Honda motorcycle with her husband Tony Jackson, 22, when they struck a pickup truck about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on northbound Highway 101 near Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, CHP Sgt. Mike Moriarty said.

The motorcycle riders were splitting lanes and came up from behind as a red Toyota pickup truck was changing lanes, Moriarty said. The pickup driver, Ross Quacchia, 25, of Healdsburg, tried to get back into the lane, but didn’t make it before he was rear-ended by the bikers, Moriarty said.

The impact ejected both riders from the bike. They were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Moriarty said. Tony Jackson was treated for abrasions and a broken ankle, the CHP said. Melissa Jackson succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

Moriarty asked that anyone who witnessed the crash call the CHP at 588-1400.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.