The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

September 8, 2009

Victim in fatal motorcycle accident identified

Authorities have identified a man found dead in Summers County after an apparent motorcycle wreck as one reported missing in Greenbrier County.

David Ray Smith, 41, of 603 Chestnut Ave., Alderson, was the man found along the Greenbrier River Sunday, Summers County Sheriff Ed Dolphin said.

Around 1 p.m. Sunday, Deputy John Farmer arrived to find the man’s body on the river’s bank along W.Va. 3, Cpl. T.J. Cochran said. The location is between Lowell and Alderson. The body is believed to have been at the location between seven and 10 days.

Dolphin said Smith had apparently run off the road, struck a tree and gone over the embankment. Sunday, someone fishing saw something on the riverbank and later found the body. While the motorcycle wreck was apparent, Dolphin said authorities must wait until they receive a report from the State Medical Examiner’s office to find out exactly how Smith died. A sudden medical emergency, for example, could have caused him to lose control of the motorcycle.

Deputies have received some information that another person was with Smith when the wreck happened, Dolphin said. The investigation is ongoing, and he encouraged citizen tips, particularly from people who may have witnessed the accident. Those with further information can call the Summers County Sheriff’s Department at 304-466-7111.

— Amelia A. Pridemore

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