Motorcycle accident on 272 takes life of Richland retiree

A motorcycle accident on Highway 272 Wednesday morning, Sept. 19, took the life of Richland resident Bernard B. Biddle, 81. According to the Washington State Patrol report, Biddle was riding eastbound when he lost control of the 2011 C 50 800cc Suzuki on a curve to the right. The motorcycle crossed the highway and went into the ditch on the opposite side of the highway across from the Lee Bannister residence.

The motorcycle came to a stop about 20 feet from the highway. The accident scene was spotted by a westbound motorist. The WSP report said the rider, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

County Coroner Peter Martin Friday issued a finding on the cause of death. The coroner concluded Mr. Biddle sustained head, neck and internal injuries in the accident. Martin said his investigation included a check to determine whether a medical condition could have been a factor in the accident which took the life of the 81-year-old rider.

He concluded skid marks at the scene indicated Mr. Biddle responded to the curve hazard, and his death was caused by the force of the impact after he was thrown from the motorcycle.

Coroner Martin said the site of the accident is one of the most hazardous in the county and the scene of a series of accidents. He compared the curve to the one on Rock Lake Road north of Ewan which was the scene of a series of motorcycle accidents. County crews have since installed special marking on the Rock Lake Road.

The curve at the Bannister place, which is located just east of the North & South Palouse Grange hall, has been the scene of five accidents this summer, two involving motorcycles.

Mr. Biddle was taken to Bruning Funeral home, and arrangements were made to transfer him to Enian’s Funeral Home in Richland.

Motorcycle riders from the Richland area Sunday visited the site of the Highway 272 accident, and a cross and flag were located at the site along the north side of the highway at the Bannister place.

Brian Biddle told the Gazette Tuesday his father was a long-time motorcycle enthusiast, although he did not ride during the years he and his late wife, Dorothy, were raising their family of six children.

A resident of the Tri-Cities for 43 years, Mr. Biddle was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association for the past two and one-half years and was on his way to Montana to help a friend organize a CMA event there. He was a veteran of the Korean War, and a graveside military honor service will be conducted Saturday at Richland, his son said.

Mr. Biddle was a former member of the California Highway Patrol and retired from a career in construction and long-haul trucking.