Prineville motorcyclist killed in Hwy. 126 crash
(Update: Motorcyclist identified; police give details of crash)
A 47-year-old Prineville motorcyclist was killed in a crash on the grade of Highway 126 Thursday morning, police said.
Prineville police, Oregon State Police, ODOT, Crook County Fire and Rescue medics and Prineville Public Works crews responded to the crash around 10:40 a.m. near milepost 17, Sgt. James Peterson said.
Several citizens were on scene, rendering aid to the rider, identified as John Whitehurst of Prineville, Peterson said. However, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and Whitehurst died at the scene.
An investigation determined Whitehurst was heading west on his 2016 Harley-Davidson when it left the westbound lane and traveled onto the loose gravel shoulder, where it came to rest after striking boulders aside the highway, Peterson said.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, the sergeant said. He added that excessive speed and alcohol don’t appear to be factors in the crash, and Whitehurst was wearing a helmet.
“Our heart goes out to the Whitehurst family for their loss today,” Peterson wrote in a news release. “The Whitehurst family wanted to personally thank all agencies involved in the rescue attempt and assistance on scene.”
Police also thanked the other responding agencies for their help.
Any additional information regarding the crash can be reported to the case agent, Prineville Police Officer Daniel Pelayo, at 541-447-4168 or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PrinevillePD/.
