PIKE COUNTY, Mo. – Authorities say a motorcyclist died due to a stunt gone wrong on the Fourth of July. The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the incident near Mt. Zion Cemetery.
The accident occurred on Pike County Road 255, east of Pike County Road 2256. The motorcyclist, Taven J. Blackwell, 20, of Troy, Mo., was driving westbound on his 2018 Yamaha YZ450 when he attempted to perform a stunt while driving too fast for the conditions.
He lost control of his motorcycle, sideswiped a parked 2006 Buick Lacrosse, then veered off the road and collided with a parked trailer on the north side of the road. He was thrown from his bike upon impact with the trailer.
Blackwell was pronounced dead at Pike County Memorial Hospital.