Man dies in fiery motorcycle wreck

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

A Lincolnton man died Tuesday afternoon after he lost control of his motorcycle, hit a ditch and crashed into several fence posts in Catawba County, authorities said.

William Elijah White, 23, was riding a Suzuki sports bike south on Lowrance Road near Toy Campbell Street in southeast Catawba County shortly after 12:30 p.m. when he lost control of the motorcycle, said Trooper C.M. Trouille of the state Highway Patrol.

No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash, he said.

Family told authorities that White has been at lunch with his father and brothers and was returning to the job site where they were all working, Trouille said.

Witnesses told Trouille that the driver lost control of the motorcycle after riding on the back wheel, he said. When the bike's front wheel hit the road, witnesses told authorities, the bike crossed the center line and hit a ditch.

The bike hit several fence posts, which flung White off the motorcycle, and caught fire, Trouille said.

White was flown to Carolina Medical Center and died shortly after 4 p.m.

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