Press release: “On June 12, 2020 at approximately 1:00 pm, Justin Verzani of Ponca, Nebraska, was driving a tractor-trailer combination of vehicles northbound US 395 and had pulled to the right shoulder near Dusty Lane, just north of Ft. Independence, CA.
James Bennett of Oxnard, California, was riding his motorcycle northbound US 395 in the number one lane and was approaching the tractor trailer from the south.
As Bennett approached, Verzani began a U-turn to southbound US 395 across the northbound lanes, at intersection of Dusty Lane. Bennett applied his brakes and swerved, but was unable to avoid a collision with the tractor trailer.
The collision caused Bennett and the Harley-Davidson he was riding, to fall to the ground. Bennett was transported to Southern Inyo Hospital for major injuries.
The following agencies were on scene and assisted with the collision: Bishop CHP, Inyo County Sheriff, and Independence Volunteer Fire Department.”