A 67-year-old Chico motorcyclist is dead after a pickup truck crossed the center line on Highway 162 in Glenn County Saturday morning, and the driver now faces a murder charge. California Highway Patrol arrested 26-year-old Cameron Vessels of Stonyford, determining he was under the influence at the time of the head-on collision.
The crash happened on Highway 162 east of County Road 304, according to actionnewsnow.com. Vessels was driving a 1984 Dodge pickup truck eastbound when it crossed into the westbound lane, striking a 2005 BMW motorcycle traveling the opposite direction. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered fatal injuries; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A CHP-linked traffic log corroborates the basic sequence of events. Per that log, maintained at chpfatal.com, a vehicle-versus-motorcycle collision was reported on State Route 162 at 11:41 a.m. Saturday, and both vehicles sustained major damage severe enough that they were requested to be towed as evidence.
Roadway Shut Down for Investigation
The log also shows the roadway was shut down following the crash and later placed under one-way traffic control while investigators took measurements and crews recovered the vehicles, the site notes. The motorcyclist's identity was being withheld pending next-of-kin notifications, the report states.
Vessels suffered only minor injuries in the crash, including facial bruising and lacerations. He was transported to the Glenn County Jail, where he was booked on a murder charge, the outlet's report notes. CHP said the investigation remains ongoing.
A Pattern on the Same Highway
Another Fatal DUI Crash on Highway 162 A separate December 2025 Action News Now report described an Oakley man involved in a fatal DUI crash on Highway 162.
What the Murder Charge Means
What the Murder Charge Means Booking someone on a murder charge following a fatal DUI crash is a serious step, but it is only the start of the legal process. California law allows prosecutors to pursue DUI-injury charges, according to California Legislative Information. No toxicology results or additional charging details for Vessels have been released.
Should the case proceed to an arraignment, acknowledging that charges are understood does not amount to an admission of guilt, according to guidance from the Glenn County Superior Court. No arraignment date, bail information or court disposition for Vessels has been made public.
