Falling tree kills motorcyclist on Cedar Canyon Road in Garfield County

ST. GEORGE, Utah — A motorcyclist was killed after he was struck in the head by a falling tree in the Dixie National Forest, in Garfield County.

Utah Highway Patrol Agent Colton Freckleton told KSL that two motorcyclists were traveling single-file on eastbound Cedar Canyon Road (S.R. 14) when a quaking aspen fell from the south side of the road.

Freckleton said that as the tree fell, it hit the first motorcyclist in the head, causing the biker to fall from his vehicle and roll about 100 feet.

The falling tree caused a fatal trauma to the first motorcyclist, who died at the scene, Freckleton said.

The victim was a 60-year-old man who has not yet been identified.

The second motorcyclist was able to able to slow down before striking the fallen tree. While he did not sustain injuries, his motorcycle was disabled.

“Nearly 90% of crashes are human error,” Freckleton said. “This was not that type of situation … it was tragic. It was hard.”

The accident impacted traffic on S.R. 14 for about three hours.

Tips for safe motorcycle riding are offered at the Ride To Live webpage.

 

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