Solano Coroner Identifies Motorcyclist Killed in Crash With Big Rig Friday

The Solano County coroner's office has identified a motorcyclist who died after a crash with a big-rig tractor in Vacaville on Friday night as 55-year-old William Brown.

Brown, a Vacaville resident, was pronounced dead at Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center at 8:10 p.m. Friday, coroner's Deputy Jackson Harris said.

Brown was riding his 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle south in the left lane of Crocker Road behind a 1996 Freightliner tractor that was traveling at about 25 mph, Vacaville police Sgt. Mark Donaldson said.

The big-rig driver heard Brown's motorcycle and saw it rapidly approaching in his mirrors, Donaldson said.

The truck driver moved to the left to allow Brown to pass him on the right, but Brown drove into the rear of the tractor, Donaldson said.

Brown was ejected from the motorcycle, and his helmet came off upon impact with the truck, Donaldson said. He landed in the right lane of Crocker Road and suffered severe head trauma.

Vacaville Fire Department paramedics tried to save his life before he was taken to the hospital, Donaldson said.

The truck driver was not injured, and cooperated with the investigation, Donaldson said.

Brown was not wearing a helmet approved by the state Department of Transportation, Donaldson said.

The crash closed Crocker Road between Vaca Valley Parkway and Aldridge Road for approximately four hours, Donaldson said.