Fatal Motorcycle Accident on Hwy 395 near Lee Vining

Press Release
California Highway Patrol
Monday, August 4, 2014

Fatal traffic accident involving motorcyclist on Hwy 395

On Sunday, August 3, 2014, at approximately 11:15 A.M., California Highway Patrol (CHP) Bishop Communications Center received a report of a motorcycle versus vehicle injury collision on US-395 at Picnic Grounds Road.  Two CHP officers and a sergeant from the Mammoth Lakes Resident Post and one officer from the CHP Bridgeport Area office responded to the collision location and initiated an investigation into the cause of the incident.  The driver of the motorcycle, Mr. James McGifford, age 59, of Dayton, Nevada, was at the scene being attended to by Mono County Paramedics.  Mr. McGifford was unconscious and had major visual injuries.  CHP investigators determined that Ms. Shirley Liang, age 24, of Cupertino, CA was driving her silver 2009 Audi on US-395 Southbound attempting to make a left turn onto Picnic Grounds Road.  Mr. McGifford was riding his black 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle on US-395 Northbound approaching Picnic Grounds Road.  As Ms. Liang made the left hand turn, she moved her vehicle directly into the path of the motorcycle.  Mr. McGifford was unable to stop his motorcycle and collided with the right side of the Audi.  Mr. McGifford was transported by Mono County Paramedic Fire/Rescue Medic 2 toward Mammoth Lakes Hospital for treatment of his injuries.  While in route to the hospital, Mr. McGifford succumbed to his injuries.  Mr. McGifford was wearing a helmet and motorcycle safety equipment.  Ms. Liang had no injuries from the collision.  Ms. Liang's passenger, a Mr. Oliver Caspari, of Stanford, CA, had minor abrasions to his right arm.  Personnel from the Lee Vining Fire Department, Mono County Sheriff's Department, US Forest Service, Caltrans, Lee Vining Tow, and Mike's Auto & Tow assisted at the scene.  The collision remains under investigation.