Motorcycle rider who was killed on Road 222 near North Fork identified as Fresno man, 23

A Fresno man was identified Monday as the person killed after he was thrown from his motorcycle while riding near North Fork.

Axel Thomas Osborne, 23, died in Thursday’s crash, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

Osborne was riding on Road 222 near Auberry Road just before noon when he missed a curve and went onto the road’s dirt shoulder, the California Highway Patrol reported.

He was thrown from the bike, a 2001 Honda, which the CHP said then hit a wooden Department of Forestry sign.

Cal Fire, the CHP and emergency medical units went to the scene, but Osborne was pronounced dead.

It was unclear how fast the motorcycle was traveling when Osborne lost control, the CHP stated. It also remains undetermined if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash, according to the agency.

This story was originally published May 9, 2022 at 6:01 PM.