Motorcyclist found dead in Lake County crash
An ODOT maintenance crew discovered a fatal motorcycle crash along Hwy. 140E that killed a 70-year-old man with ties to La Pine, Oregon State Police reported Tuesday.
According to OSP Sgt. Steve Yates, around 3:15 p.m. on Monday, an ODOT striping crew was working along Highway 140E near milepost 27 when a crew member spotted a motorcycle over an embankment.
Upon further inspection, the ODOT crew found a man dead near the crashed motorcycle and notified OSP. OSP, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and additional ODOT resources responded to the scene.
A preliminary investigation indicated the 2001 Yamaha motorcycle operated by Albert Lewis Gundelach Jr., 70 was eastbound negotiating a left curve when it traveled off the roadway and down an embankment about 70 feet, where it came to rest.
The motorcycle and rider were partially hidden from view by a tree. A rope rescue team for Lake County Sheriff’s Office helped recover the victim.
Gundelach was wearing a helmet, troopers said. His current hometown is pending confirmation, but investigators learned he has lived in Concord, California and La Pine and Springfield, Oregon.
At this time, OSP said its investigators haven’t confirmed the date and time the crash occurred. Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Yates at (541) 947-2267.
