Motorcyclist killed in Santa Cruz evening collision

A Soquel man is dead following a collision in Santa Cruz.

CHP officials say a 22-year-old Gavin Joseph Ramos was riding a motorcycle eastbound on Soquel Avenue at an unknown speed.

A 71-year-old male was driving his van westbound on the same road at a speed less than 25 mph, preparing to make a left turn.

The motorcycle traveled into the path of the van and collided with it, causing the motorcyclist to be fully ejected.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials say witnesses tell them prior to the collision, the motorcyclist had been seen passing them over the painted solid double yellow lines at a high rate of speed.

The intersection of Soquel and Chanticleer was closed for over 3 hours during the investigation.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. It has not been determined whether alcohol/drugs were contributing factors in the collision.