Motorcyclist was popping wheelie, speeding before Mattydale crash, sheriff says

The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office said the rider of a motorcycle was operating at a high rate of speed and doing a "wheelie" before crashing in Mattydale. The sheriff's office identified the motorcyclist as Justin M. Zappala, 23, of Salina. The office noted that his license is currently suspended for more than 17 traffic infractions. As of Monday morning, Zappala is listed in the hospital in critical condition. The office said he will be issued "many" traffic tickets when his condition improves. On Monday, the office said that multiple videos and eyewitness accounts revealed Zappala was speeding and popping a wheelie when he crashed at the intersection of Brown Avenue and East Molloy Avenue around 11:35 a.m. on July 12. A "wheelie" is when the back wheel of a motorcycle remains on the road, but the front wheel is suspended in the air. The office said an SUV, driven by a 58-year-old woman from the Town of Salina, was stopped at the stop sign of Brown Road and East Molloy Avenue. After vehicles passed the SUV driver in both directions on East Molloy Rd., she attempted to turn left from Bown Ave onto East Molloy. According to the officer, it "appears" Zappala sped while performing the wheelie and struck the SUV's driver's side rear door. The office said Zappala most likely did not see the SUV because he was doing the wheelie. Criminal charges will not be filed against the driver of the SUV, but she received a ticket for failing to yield the right of way. She cooperated with law enforcement.