Roads were clear for the Amgen Tour of California race, but three other traffic accidents sent motorists to the hospital.

An ill-timed sneeze nearly claimed the life of a motorcyclist on Highway 49 north of North San Juan Saturday afternoon.

Manteca resident Joseph Munoz, 61, was riding his Harley-Davidson with friends on their annual trip to Downieville when pollen got the best of him.

“I have allergies,” Munoz said Sunday from the hospital. “I was sneezing and I closed my eyes.”

When he opened them, he saw his tire had drifted off the side of the road and he was headed straight for a rock wall.

Munoz was ejected from the cycle and was unconscious when rescuers arrived. He was flown to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he is recovering from head trauma for at least the next few days.

His motorcycle is partly smashed, and he missed the annual trek with the rest of his friends, but Munoz said he feels lucky to be alive.

Toddler injured in head-on crash

A head-on collision on Highway 174 near Partridge Road in Grass Valley had one man arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and left two others with minor injuries.

Witnesses say Randall Robertson, 31, was driving erratically Friday around 5:15 p.m., according to Grass Valley Police Sgt. Joe Matteoni.

Robertson's 1998 Honda Accord allegedly drifted from the eastbound lane to the westbound lane, hitting a 2007 Toyota Rav-4 head-on.

The driver of the Rav-4, Grass Valley resident Becky Higgs, 60, was treated on the scene for wrist pain. Her 2-year-old passenger was taken to the hospital for chest pain.

The young girl was in a child safety seat, Matteoni said.

Robertson was booked in the Nevada County jail but was out as of Sunday afternoon.

Motorcylist injured near Peardale

A motorcyclist crashed through the back window of a vehicle in an accident near Peardale Saturday.

A red Subaru and a Harley Davidson were traveling southbound on Highway 174 around noon when the Subaru slowed to make a turn, according to California Highway Patrol Sergeant Dee Lavrador.

The motorcyclist did not notice the maneuver and rear-ended the vehicle, then was ejected from the motorcycle through the back of the Subaru, according to CHP reports.

The motorcyclist, a 69-year-old Grass Valley resident identified as Mr. Dickerman, was wearing a helmet and suffered moderate injuries, including lacerations and bruises.

Dickerman was taken to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The Subaru driver, a 75-year-old Grass Valley woman identified as Ms. Stanley, was not injured. Highway Patrol officers determined alcohol was not involved in the accident.

Amgen Tour rolls by safely

Aside from a few drivers irritated by rolling road closures, traffic control went smoothly during the Amgen Tour of California race start, Matteoni said.

Traffic was also under control in Nevada City, said Lt. Lorin Gage, and Lavrador said the CHP reported no problems.