ST. GEORGE — A motorcyclist who a witness estimated to be going 140 mph died Saturday afternoon after striking a guardrail and crashing in the Virgin River Gorge.
The Arizona Department of Safety responded to the scene of the crash at approximately 3:42 p.m. just north of the Cedar Pocket rest area off-ramp on Interstate 15 in Arizona.
“Witnesses reported two motorcycles traveling in excess of 100 mph. One of the motorcycle riders left the right edge of the roadway, struck the guard rail and crashed,” Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. John Bottoms said in a text message.
The rider suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.
“One of the witnesses estimated the speed of the motorcycle at approximately 140 mph,” Bottoms said.
Police have yet to positively identify the motorcyclist.
Traffic was reduced to one lane while authorities investigated the incident.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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140mph at 3:42 in the afternoon? No sympathy. Thank God no one else was killed. At that time, how many vehicles traveling through the gorge have children in them?
In the absence of a photograph, or other evidence, we have to assume:
1. Young guy fueled by an “energy” drink.
2. Crotch-rocket motorcycle perfectly capable of achieving speeds well above 120 mph, in a safe manner.
3. Probably a helmet.
4. Conclusion – his driving/riding abilities were inadequate for high speeds.
5. His “buddy” rode straight home, abandoning him at the side of the highway……….
If speed limit is 55 where are the police, I never see them in the gorge, even when it’s single lane. I tell people I go 55-6o and people pass me flying… Why don,t they gave cameras, they take your photo and send you the ticket at home.. Oh I forgot his fo you catch the plate no. At 140 mph.. The gorge is so busy now, everyone speeding,, people laughed at me when I said I do 55-60. They said I would get killed by the faster Trucks too..
Seems there is one accident a day in the gorge now.. When will it stop…
Where wax the guys friend???
Bravo!!! Well said!!! You covered everything my husband and I have issue with about the gorge. We too drive the 55mph. People laugh at us… and most everyone goes speeding by. Semi truck speed should be seriously regulated. We figure that Arizona doesn’t want to spend money policing the gorge and what a shame. If people knew they would be ticketed for breaking the law the gorge would be safer for all of us. We passed by this accident yesterday. It was horrific and traumatic…. seeing a severed leg uncovered for all to see. Please! I beg you for more law enforcement.
A severed leg huh? We called this the cheese grater effect. At high speeds the guardrail becomes a cheese grater. Not pretty
I was unsure how to describe… thank you for providing me proper terminology.
Yes I agree mmsandie, even just one camera taking snap shots and sending tickets would be awesome. I too am tired of how fast people fly past me in the gorge, slow down!
I too am in favour of the camera. They’d make so much money on speeding tickets.
Forgot to mention I’m disappointed in the way alot of the people operating motorcycles seem to think it’s ok to weave in and out of traffic you give responsible riders a bad name. Shame on you
Hopefully you are doing 55 in the right lane and not the left. I have seen too many go slow in the left lane and stay there to block traffic which is just as dangerous and can get you ticketed as well. If you are not passing, stay in the right lane. I wish our signs said just that – Keep right except to pass rather than slower traffic keep right. They do in other states and traffic flows much better. Of course where there are strict driving rules people have the opportunity to drive much faster than we can here in the States – and they do it safely. https://www.german-way.com/travel-and-tourism/driving-in-europe/driving/autobahn/driving-on-the-autobahn/
In the immortal words of Dirty Harry, ” a man has got to know his limitations.” Looks like speed racer exceeded his and got what he deserved. RIP ….
Ed. ellipsis.
LOL at the edited word. I think we can guess. But true, if ur gonna try to be a hotshot on a crotch rocket ur eventually gonna be roadkill. Even riding one safely u got a good chance of becoming roadkill.
Can’t believe I was edited. The terrible word rhymes with cup is.
rhymes with ‘cup is’? hmm