Motorcyclist dies after Thursday crash on I-80 in Berkeley
Bay Cities News Service
Article Created: 02/29/2008 07:09:54 AM PST

BERKELEY — A motorcyclist involved in a three-vehicle collision Thursday afternoon on Interstate Highway 80 in Berkeley died at a hospital from injuries sustained in the crash, the California Highway Patrol reported today.
Mario Antonio Gomez, 30, of Vallejo, was riding a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle on westbound Highway 80 in the No. 1 lane just west of Ashby Avenue when the motorcycle collided with the rear of a 2005 Honda Element at about 1:30 p.m., according to the CHP.
Gomez was ejected from his motorcycle into the No. 2 lane and directly into the path of an oncoming big rig, the CHP reported.
The big rig then collided with Gomez, according to the CHP. Gomez was transported to Highland Hospital in Oakland where he died at about 3:15 p.m., the CHP reported.
Vacaville resident Ronda Lee Marfil, 44, who was driving the Honda reportedly was not injured. 44-year-old Manuel Rapoza III of Livermore, the driver of the big rig, was also not injured, according to the CHP.
The No. 1, 2 and 3 lanes of westbound Highway 80 were blocked for about 45 minutes while authorities tended to the scene, according to the CHP.