Motorcyclist Dies After Tree Falls, Hits Him On The Head

CEDAR CITY, Utah — A 60-year-old man was killed after troopers said a tree fell while he was riding his motorcycle on State Route 14 and struck his head.

The incident happened near milepost 11 just before 4 p.m. Friday.

Trooper Colton Freckleton with the Utah Highway Patrol said two motorcyclists were traveling eastbound when a quaking aspen tree fell, striking the first motorcyclist in the head. The impact caused the man to fall from his bike and roll about 100 feet.

He sustained serious head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Freckleton said the second motorcyclist was able to slow down before he struck the tree.

The impact disabled his motorcycle, but he walked away with no injuries.

Traffic was affected for approximately three hours, according to Freckleton.

The victim was identified as a 60-year-old male, but his name has not been released, pending family notifications.

Freckleton acknowledged this was a very tragic and freak incident.

“Nearly 90% of crashes are human error,” he said. “This is definitely not that type of situation. A tree fell down at the right timing and hit someone right in the worst spot.”