One dead in motorcycle crash near Orwigsburg [Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.]

June 18--ORWIGSBURG -- A 23-year-old Schuylkill Haven man died when the motorcycle he was driving crashed along Route 61 in North Manheim Township early Monday morning.

Ronald R. McKay III was pronounced dead at the scene along Route 61, in front of Seltzer Insurance Group, at 11:19 a.m. by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Joseph Pothering.

Pothering said McKay's body will be examined by county coroner Dr. David Moylan who will determine whether or not an autopsy will be required.

State police Trooper Eric Reber of the Schuylkill Haven station said the crash happened sometime between 12:30 and 1 a.m. as McKay was driving a 2005 Honda CBR600RR5 motorcycle south at a high rate of speed.

In front of the insurance agency, and just south of CJ's Tire Automotive Services, McKay went off the right side of the road and onto the berm, traveled about 20-feet in the grass and hit a metal sign post with the handlebars, Reber said.

The impact with the sign caused the motorcycle to turn sideways and begin overturning while continuing south through the grass, Reber said.

The trooper said that about 160-feet after hitting the metal sign, McKay and the motorcycle hit a rock that caused the man to be thrown from the vehicle.

McKay traveled about 25 feet and hit a tree a tree while the motorcycle hit a tree about eight feet off of the ground and 33-feet after it hit the rock, Reber said.

After hitting the tree the motorcycle continued for 56 feet through trees and brush before coming to a stop, the trooper said.

Authorities at the scene said McKay was found by family and friends just after 10 a.m. Monday after they used the GPS tracking in his cellular telephone.

Orwigsburg firefighters and EMS, Pottsville-Schuylkill Haven Area EMS and Orwigsburg fire police assisted at the scene that closed the right lane of Route 61 for more than an hour.

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