Crime & Safety

Novato Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash

Michael Kolb, 48, was pronounced dead after crash in rural Sonoma County; wife, who was riding on the back of the motorcycle, was was hospitalized.

By Bay City News Service

A Novato man was killed and his wife injured Sunday afternoon when the motorcycle they were riding in western Sonoma County struck a car, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Michael Kolb, 48, was riding east on Valley Ford Road on a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle around 3:20 p.m. with his wife, Martha Kolb, 51, riding on the back, CHP Officer Marcus Hawkins said.

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They crashed just east of Carmody Road when the motorcycle struck a vehicle turning left on to Valley Ford Road from a private driveway on the south side of the road, Hawkins said.

Michael Colb was pronounced dead on the scene by emergency personnel, while Martha Kolb was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by paramedics.

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The driver of the other vehicle, Cynthia Callahan, 77, of Petaluma, had complaints of pain only.

All three people involved in the collision were wearing proper safety equipment, Hawkins said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Alcohol is not
believed to have been a factor.

The crash site is about 13 miles northwest of Petaluma and 10 miles due west of Rohnert Park.

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