Petaluma motorcyclist dies in Highway 101 crash near Novato

A 46-year-old Petaluma man riding a motorcycle Monday morning on Highway 101 died in a crash near Novato that stalled southbound traffic for several hours, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man’s name is being withheld until relatives are notified, authorities said.

The crash near the San Antonio Road offramp in northern Marin County was reported shortly after 6:30 a.m., according to the CHP.

Two southbound lanes on the highway were blocked until about 9 a.m., the CHP said.

Investigators believe the motorcyclist was riding in between the two left lanes when “traffic ahead slowed down suddenly, and he wasn’t able to slow down in time,” said CHP Officer Darrel Horner.

The CHP believes he then crashed into a van in the far left lane before his motorcycle spun around and hit a truck in the next lane over, Horner said.

“That’s when he was thrown from the motorcycle and landed on the ground,” Horner said.

Medics performed CPR on the man and pronounced him dead at the scene, according to Horner.

Investigators do not believe intoxicated driving played a role in the crash, Horner said.

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Pera at matthew.pera@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @Matt__Pera.