Matthew Goodwin, 26, died Saturday night when his 2006 Suzuki 650 crashed into some rocks and a tree. Authorities said he was not wearing a helmet.
Maine State Police Trooper Jason Wing told Maine Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland that speed and unfamiliarity with the road appeared to be the cause of the crash, although a blood sample will be tested to determine if alcohol was involved.
McCausland said the fatality took place at the intersection of Center and Lower Cross roads and was reported by a 911 call from a Center Road resident at about 10:40 p.m. Saturday.
It appears that Goodwin was traveling west on Lower Cross Rd and as he approached the intersection, the motorcycle skidded on its side and crossed the inter- section before striking multiple trees and rocks, said McCausland in a prepared statement.
Goodwin was pronounced dead at the scene by Lebanon Fire & Rescue personnel.
McCausland said troopers are now trying to determine where Goodwin was earlier in the evening, and anyone with information is asked to call Maine State Police in Gray at 207- 657-3030 and speak with Trooper Jason Wing.
A week ago, Randall Goslin, 40, of Farmington, New Hampshire was operating his motorcycle near the New Hampshire state line in Lebanon at around 7 p.m. when he struck a utility pole and was thrown from his bike, landing on River Road which intersects Route 202 directly before the state line.
McCausland said alcohol and excessive speed likely contributed to that Sept. 5 crash.
There were 12 motorcycle fatalities in Maine in 2014.
Nationally, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,668 people died in motorcycle crashes in 2013, the most recent figures available, which was down 6.4 percent from 4,986 in 2012.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].
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