One dead in Monday motorcycle crash

Pictured above, a mangled motorcycle lies on the road as emergency responders tend to the scene.

A Monday morning motorcycle accident claimed the life of Paul E. Ganoung, 47, Spokane, just south of where Highway 195 crosses the John Wayne Trail south of Rosalia.

Mr. Ganoung died at the scene after he was ejected from the 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle he was riding and went over the guardrail at about 7:40 a.m.

Strong winds and high speed were believed to be causes of the accident. Trooper Doug Power investigated.

Deputy Robert Goldsby, the first officer at the scene, said he detected the motorcycle traveling northbound at a high rate of speed.

Goldsby, who was driving southbound, said while he was turning his squad car around to pursue the motorcycle he detected another vehicle traveling northbound at an even higher speed and he began to pursue it.

Mr. Ganoung was found in a field along the east side of Highway 195. The motorcycle bounced off the guardrail, crossed the highway and hit the guardrail on the opposite side.

The county coroner was called to the scene in investigate. Highway traffic was routed through Rosalia while troopers investigated the scene of the fatality.

Mr. Ganoung was taken to Kramer Funeral Home in Tekoa.