HOLLISTER—A Gilroy motorcycle rider was found dead Wednesday morning in the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area after he was involved “in what appeared to be a high-speed collision with a tree,” according to the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office.
Doug Williams, 23, was a frequent rider at Hollister Hills and his family told investigators he had been riding since the age of 10. His body was discovered at 8:45 a.m. in the middle of the park at the base of an embankment.
Williams was reported missing at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday by his father, after the son left for what he said would be a “20-minute ride” at 4:30 p.m., San Benito County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Taylor said.
The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a search and rescue effort, which involved a California Highway Patrol helicopter and airplane, search and rescue teams from Santa Clara, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, Hollister Hills staff and volunteers—including Williams’ family.
The CHP aircraft joined the search at 8 p.m. Tuesday. On through the early morning hours, searchers scoured ground looking for Williams. They called the search off at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, before resuming it again at 8 a.m.
Williams was pronounced dead by AMR Paramedics within an hour of the search resuming and his body was transported to Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy, Taylor said.
It appears the Gilroy man collided with a tree at a high rate of speed, Taylor added, causing him to be ejected from the vehicle. His body came to rest down an embankment away from the trail he was riding on.
Investigators did not find skid marks at the scene of the wreck, indicating he may have been going too fast when tying to navigate a turn, Taylor said. His body was found between six and 10 feet from where his bike came to rest, and authorities noted significant damage to the top of his helmet.
“Doug was something else,” Monica De Shetler, a friend of Williams told the Dispatch. “He had the kindest heart and always liked to make everyone smile…cracking jokes and making people laugh was his thing.”
De Shetler first met Williams eight years ago in Gilroy, and said she won’t forget his contagious smile. She created an online fundraiser to help pay for the funeral costs and as of Thursday afternoon, more than $1,300 has been raised.
According to the Hollister Hills recreation area superintendent, fatalities at the park are rare.
“I believe the last one we had was three or four years ago, maybe longer,” Matthew Allen said.
Hollister Hills staff members are leading the investigation into the cause of the collision while the Sheriff’s Office conducts the autopsy, according to Taylor.
Meanwhile, motorcyclists with the group South Bay Riders took to their online forum Wednesday to pay their respects to a fallen comrade.
“RIP, Doug,” wrote one commenter at southbayriders.com on a post about Williams’ death. “I’m so sorry for your family. You were way too young.”
Reporters Katie Helland and Chris Foy contributed to this report.
Friends and family of Williams are seeking donations via a GoFundMe to help cover his funeral costs.
For more information or to donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/p9bbqo.
