Redmond man killed in motorcycle crash

By KOMO Staff

Summary

A Redmond, Wash. man died in a motorcycle crash on Friday on Highway 97, about one mile north of Shaniko in north central Oregon, according to the Oregon State Police.

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Story Published: Oct 5, 2007 at 9:59 PM PST

Story Updated: Oct 5, 2007 at 11:47 PM PST

SHANIKO, Ore. -- A Redmond, Wash. man died in a motorcycle crash on Friday on Highway 97, about one mile north of Shaniko in north central Oregon, according to the Oregon State Police.

Troopers said Neil J. Carlson, 57, was traveling south on the highway when he tried to pass a long line of traffic in a passing zone. Carlson could not pass all the cars in time and was still trying to get ahead of a commercial truck and a semi trailer when the passing zone ended.

An oncoming vehicle, while trying to avoid Carlson, swerved in front of the commercial truck and lost control. Carlson slid onto the shoulder, down an embankment and into a fence near the highway.

Carlson, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene. It is not known whether anyone else was injured in the crash.