The Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office says a Scottsbluff man reported missing was found Monday following what authorities say was a fatal motorcycle crash.
In a news release, Sgt. Mark Bliss says shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by family members of 31-year-old Madison Hicks of Scottsbluff, who reported he had been missing since going on a motorcycle ride Sunday, and was known to have been traveling to Kimball.
As deputies were still working on gathering information about the missing person report, another report was received about a motorcycle that was found off the roadway along Highway 71 south of Gering.
Deputies responded and upon arrival found Madison Hicks deceased.
Bliss says the investigation revealed Mr. Hicks was riding his BMW motorcycle southbound on Hwy 71 in the area north of the “Wildcat Estates” when he failed to negotiate a curve, crossing the median into the northbound traffic lane, ran off the road to the left, leaving the roadway. Mr. Hicks was ejected from the motorcycle during the crash.
Excessive speed is investigated as contributing factor in the crash. Motorcycle helmet was in use at the time of the crash, but it appears that the helmet was not properly secured.
