Response To Fatal Motorcycle Crash In Palo Alto Delayed By Traffic

PALO ALTO (CBS SF) -- A collision on southbound Interstate Highway 101 left a motorcyclist dead in Palo Alto this evening after emergency crews headed to the crash were delayed by heavy traffic, firefighters said.

The crash was reported at 5:46 p.m. on southbound Highway 101 just north of Embarcadero Road.

The California Highway Patrol said the victim's death was reported to dispatchers just before 6 p.m.

The first firefighters arrived on scene at 5:56 p.m., according to Menlo Park Fire Protection District Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman.

Traffic in the area was "terrible," Schapelhouman said, and it had a definite impact on the ability of first responders to assist the victim.

"We failed to be where we needed to be within a period of time," Schapelhouman said. "Whether that would have made a difference in this incident, I'm not sure."

Last week the district's board of directors adopted new standards establishing a goal of having the first firefighters on the scene of an incident within seven minutes of being reported to dispatch.

Firefighters were not able to meet that new standard when responding to tonight's fatal motorcycle crash, Schapelhouman said.

The CHP issued a Sig-alert for southbound Highway 101 at 6:06 p.m.

Palo Alto