Second motorcyclist dies, marking third death in a month at Highway 156 roundabout

A second motorcyclist has been reported dead in a crash on Sunday at a roundabout between Hollister and San Juan Bautista.The CHP Monterey Communications Center received the initial report at about 3:42 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2026. When CHP Hollister-Gilroy Area officers arrived, they determined that three separate crashes had occurred contemporaneously within the roundabout in unincorporated San Benito County. Investigators said a 48-year-old Hollister man crashed his Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the roundabout. He later died at a nearby hospital. The woman in the passenger's seat suffered major injuries and was transported to a hospital as well. CHP said an additional motorcycle and a Lexus were also involved in separate crashes in the roundabout around the same time—details that had not been previously released to protect the ongoing investigation. The occupants of the Lexus were reportedly not injured.On Tuesday, CHP learned that the rider involved in the other motorcycle crash, a 32-year-old Hollister man, died of his injuries on Monday evening. The cause of the crashes remains under investigation, and CHP said it has not ruled out anything. However, investigators said speed appears to be a consistent factor, and it is believed the two motorcyclists and the Lexus driver were acquaintances. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of the deceased,” said Area Commander Capt. Noel Coady. “This incident reminds each of us to ‘drive (or ride) to arrive.’ Adhering to traffic laws and driving/riding defensively can make the difference between reaching our destination safely or tragedy.”The crashes come less than a month after another deadly crash at the same roundabout. CHP previously reported that a 36-year-old Salinas man was killed Jan. 30 after a Dodge coupe and a Honda sedan crashed within the roundabout.CHP urged anyone with information about the Feb. 22 incident to contact the CHP Hollister-Gilroy Area office at 408-427-0700.