Gastonia, N.C. – February 17, 2023: Officers from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) – Traffic Enforcement Bureau continue to investigate a fatal collision involving a motorcycle that occurred yesterday afternoon on E. Franklin Boulevard. Excessive speed on the part of the motorcycle rider was determined to be a factor.
Shortly after 1 p.m. on February 16, GPD officers and Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the intersection of E. Franklin Boulevard and S. Chestnut Street for the report of a serious collision involving a motorcycle.
The preliminary investigation has determined that the Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle was traveling east on E. Franklin Boulevard approaching S. Chestnut Street at a speed that has been preliminarily estimated to be between 90 to 100 mph in a 35 mph zone. A Mini Cooper Countryman was traveling westbound on E. Franklin Boulevard attempting to turn left onto S. Chestnut Street. The motorcycle and the vehicle collided in the intersection. The force of the collision caused the vehicle to roll onto its roof.
The motorcycle rider, identified as 23-year-old Alejandro Acosta of Gastonia was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as 73-year-old Patricia Coleman of Gastonia, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
This collision remains under investigation.
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