Stayton motorcyclist killed in Highway 22 crash

A motorcyclist from Stayton was killed Wednesday when a pickup apparently made a left-hand turn into his path on state Highway 22 east of Gates in Marion County, Oregon State Police said.

Lt. Tim Fox said troopers and medics responded to the crash around 12:35 p.m. in front of Niagra County Park.

Fox said a 2011 Ford F150 driven by James Martin, 77, of Silverton, was heading west when it attempted to turn left into the park.

At the same time, a 1995 Kawasaki motorcycle operated by Ronald Riggs, 68, of Stayton, was heading east and struck the pickup, Fox said.

Riggs, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the motorcycle and struck a passing boat trailer being towed by a third vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The highway was blocked during the crash investigation. Fox said preliminary information indicated that Martin’s pickup turned into the motorcycle’s path without yielding.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Gates Fire Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.