Hit-and-Run Driver Sought in Fatality on 101

Authorities are looking for the driver of a minivan that hit and killed a motorcyclist on southbound U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Clara Wednesday morning.

The crash occurred at about 5:50 a.m. just south of San Tomas Expressway.

A man in a green Dodge Caravan was driving behind a Kia Rio sedan when a man on a Harley Davidson motorcycle merged onto the freeway from Montague Expressway in front of the minivan, California Highway Patrol officials said.          

The minivan struck the rear of the motorcycle, ejecting and killing the rider, a Santa Clara man, CHP officials said. The Dodge then struck the Kia.

The motorcyclist was identified by the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office as 35-year-old Joseph Yabes.

The 54-year-old San Jose man in the Kia was not injured.

Witnesses told investigators that the driver of the Dodge had been speeding before the collision, CHP officer Peter Van Eckhardt said. 

The Dodge and Kia drivers both pulled onto the right shoulder, but the driver of the Dodge got out of his van and fled.

He is described as about 30 years old and clean-shaven, with short brown hair. He was wearing a tan work uniform.

Officers are searching for the driver as the investigation continues, Van Eckhardt said.

Bay City News Service