Solano County authorities say that a 38-year-old Napa. California resident was killed Friday in a motorcycle accident in Fairfield, California. The fatal accident victim was a California Highway Patrol officer who was off-duty at the time of the tragic motorcycle crash.

The CHP says that the off-duty officer was westbound on Highway 12 near Red Top Road Friday. At the same time, police say that a 39-year-old man from Esparto was eastbound on Highway 12 and sought to enter a driveway along Jameson Canyon Road.

Authorities say that the Esparto man saw what he thought was a break in westbound traffic and began to make the turn. Police say that the man driving a Toyota pickup saw the motorcycle approaching after he crossed one lane, but was not able to accelerate fast enough to clear the lane before the motorcyclist arrived.

The CHP says that the Napa man's Kawasaki clipped the right rear of the turning pickup truck. The bike rider was ejected from the motorcycle. He reportedly landed in the roadway, where he was struck again by an eastbound CRV. The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries in the accident.

Law enforcement closed down Highway 12 in both directions to gather evidence and clear the scene. The road was closed for several hours with traffic rerouted through American Canyon Road.

The Esparto man driving the pickup and a 50-year-old man from Martinez, California driving the CRV were not injured. The CHP continues to investigate the fatal motorcycle accident. No charges have been filed with the investigation still open.

Source: San Jose Mercury News, "California Highway Patrol officer killed in motorcycle accident in Fairfield identified," Richard Bammer--Vacaville Reporter, Dec. 17, 2012