A Sweet Home man died Friday night, Aug. 2, when he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding and crashed into a tree on 8th Avenue, police said.
Oregon State Police said Saturday that they are continuing the investigation into the fatal motorcycle crash that occurred at approximately 10:22 p.m. Friday. According to an OSP statement, an Albany police officer attempted to stop a 2005 Ducati motorcycle operated by Lance Morgan Hawken, 42, of Sweet Home, for a traffic violation near 15th Avenue and Long Street in Sweet Home.
According to police, Hawken failed to yield and attempted to elude the officer at a high rate of speed. The officer lost sight of the motorcycle as it traveled southbound on 8th Avenue. Police had terminated the pursuit of the motorcycle when a call came into 9-1-1 reporting a motorcycle crash with a man down in the front yard of a residence at 158 8th Ave., near Birch Street.
Emergency responders arrived and were unable to revive Hawken, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.
At the request of Sweet Home Police Department and Linn County Sheriff’s Office, OSP investigated the fatal motorcycle crash. Initial investigation indicates Hawken attempted to negotiate a curve on 8th Avenue and lost control of the Ducati, veering into a yard and striking a tree. He was wearing a helmet and speed was a contributing factor in the crash, police said.
More details and photos will be included in the Aug. 7 edition of The New Era and sweethomenews.com.