A nighttime motorcycle ride in Washington County ended in tragedy Friday when a 67-year-old Blackwell man was killed and his 17-year-old passenger was seriously hurt after their Harley went off Route CC and into a tree near Fertile Ridge Road in the Cannon Mines area.
State report details
According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the pair were traveling southbound on Route CC at about 9:30 p.m. when their 2008 Harley-Davidson Softail left the roadway, slid off the left side and struck a small tree.
Both riders were ejected. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and the juvenile passenger was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries, according to the report.
What local outlets reported
Investigators have not yet determined why the motorcycle left the roadway. As reported by KMOV's First Alert 4, the Highway Patrol noted the driver was not wearing a helmet, while the passenger was. Officials have not released the names of the riders.
Helmet rules and the safety picture
Missouri law requires helmets for riders and passengers under 26, while operators 26 and older may be exempt if they carry qualifying health insurance, according to RSMo §302.026.
Federal and public-health research shows helmets substantially lower the risk of death and head injury in crashes. The CDC and federal analyses estimate helmet use prevents roughly 37% of rider fatalities and can cut head injuries by about 69%.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash, and no additional details have been released.
