Edward J. Combs, 33, member of Kern Unit (Bakersfield), California State Highway Patrol, was injured fatally in a late night motorcycle accident. His motor turned over on the Golden State Highway (99) near Famosa, a tire blew out at a rail crossing, he was thrown 70 feet. He died early the next morning.

The accident occurred at the railroad-highway crossing 21 miles north of Bakersfield about 11:30 p.m. The motorcycle’s front tire exploded when it struck the tracks and the traffic officer volplaned more than 70 feet through the air and struck the pavement head first, fracturing his skull. He died about five hours later.

Combs had been employed with the Kern unit of the state system for about nine months. He was born in Missouri and lived in Bakersfield for the past 10 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.