GRASS VALLEY, Calif. December 2, 2016 – At approximately 2:47 PM today 65-year-old Grass Valley resident Mr. William Balmain was riding a Harley-Davison motorcycle southbound on McCourtney Rd., south of Auburn Rd., heading away from the Nevada County Fairgrounds. He was wearing a helmet. Nevada City resident Mr. Joshua Valle was driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck northbound on McCourtney Rd, with a female passenger on board, approaching the motorcycle.
Based on a preliminary investigation, Balmain was operating the motorcycle under the influence of alcohol and was traveling at an unsafe speed. He lost control of the motorcycle and crossed the double-yellow lines into the northbound lane, directly into the path of the pickup truck. Valle attempted to stop and avoid a collision but was unable to. The motorcycle collided head-on with the pickup truck and Balmain was ejected onto the roadway, sustaining serious injuries. Valle sustained minor injuries and his passenger was apparently uninjured.
A CHP officer was on patrol in the area and was directed to the collision. Upon his arrival he called for additional officers and fire department/ambulance personnel. He then assisted the injured parties until additional personnel arrived.
Balmain was placed under arrest for misdemeanor DUI but was released to medical personnel for the treatment of his injuries. He was flown via helicopter to the Sutter Roseville Medical Center where he remains for treatment.
CHP is handling the ongoing investigation. McCourtney Rd was initially blocked until the arrival of additional personnel. One-way traffic controls were in place until approximately 4:15 PM.