Deadly Week For Motorcyclists In WA: 3 Killed, More Injured

MAPLE VALLEY, WA - At least three motorcyclists died in separate crashes around Washington this week, and many more were injured. Washington State Patrol is asking motorcyclist to slow down and drive safe, although several crashes this week were likely not the fault of the motorcyclist.

"The Washington State Patrol encourages riders to abide by posted speed limits and to ride defensively, keeping aware of possible road hazard," Trooper Chelsea A. Hodgson said Friday in a safety bulletin for motorcyclists.

According to state patrol, 30 percent of serious motorcycle crashes and 5 percent of fatal crashes involve excessive speed.

Here are the incidents that happened this week:

June 17, 8 p.m., Port Hadlock - A 66-year-old man was injured while riding along SR 104 in Jefferson County when a deer jumped out in front of him. The rider lost control of his bike trying to avoid the animal.

June 17, 8:40 p.m., Maple Valley - Michael Felhosi, 54, died after a car pulled out in front of him along Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road. One other rider who was with Felhosi also hit the car and sustained serious injuries. A third motorcyclist was able to stop before hitting the car.

June 19, 5:30 p.m., Burien - A 48-year-old motorcyclist sustained critical injuries after a collision with a car along the 13200 block of 12th Avenue South.

June 20, 8 a.m., Renton - A 50-year-old motorcyclist from Sammamish was riding southbound on SR 167 near I-405 when a car merged into him. The motorcyclist hit a jersey barrier and was thrown from his bike. He sustained critical injuries.

June 21, 5 p.m., Port Angeles - A 19-year-old woman from Sequim died after she crossed over the center line along SR 101. She collided with a pickup truck.

June 21, 10:30 p.m., Tukwila - Skyler Lee Atkinson, 35, was riding a motorcycle eastbound on SR 518 near 10:30 p.m. when he came upon stopped traffic. According to Washington State Patrol, Atkinson was going too fast to stop, and crashed into the back of a stopped car. He died at Harborview Medical Center.

June 22, 8 a.m., Snoqualmie Pass - A motorcyclist collided with a pickup truck in the eastbound lanes of I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass. The motorcyclist sustained only minor injuries.

Image courtesy King County Sheriff's Office