LEONARDTOWN, Md. (April 24, 2009)—A motorcyclist passed away Thursday after
an accident on the roads of St. Mary's County that occurred at approximately 3:52 p.m. James Aloysius Butler, 36, of Eden, Md. succumbed to his injuries at the P.G. County Hospital Shock Trauma Center several hours after the bike he was riding left the road and struck several trees.
The accident happened on Laurel Grove Road in the area of Kavanaugh Road in Mechanicsville. Deputies were called to the accident where they found Butler lying on the ground with life threatening injuries. Butler was subsequently medevaced by Trooper 7.
Police say Butler was operating an unregistered 1996 Suzuki GSX600 Katana motorcycle.
The Collision Reconstruction Team investigated and determined that Butler was traveling well in excess of the posted 30 mph speed limit when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The motorcycle exited the south side of the roadway, struck two trees, and became airborne. Butler was ejected from the bike and struck another tree.
At the time of the accident Butler was not wearing the required safety equipment, according to police.
Police are citing speed and operator error as contributing factors in the crash.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact Corporal D. Mills at (301) 475-4200 Ext. 1984.