Fatal motorcycle crash in Henrico's Near West End is fourth fatal crash since Oct. 16

UPDATE: OCT. 28, 3:57 P.M. – The victim of a fatal crash in Henrico's Near West End Wednesday was 21-year-old Paul Thomas King of Powhatan, Henrico Police reported Thursday afternoon. The incident happened at about 8:14 p.m. when the motorcycle he was driving east along Patterson Avenue struck an SUV that was traveling west on Patterson and making a left turn onto Ridge Top Road. King was ejected and the motorcycle crashed into a fence. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

About eight minutes before the crash, callers to the Henrico Emergency Communications division had reported motorcycles were driving recklessly and doing wheelies along Parham Road. At Derbyshire Road, patrol officers observed the suspected riders but did not observe any violations.

The motorcycles turned east onto Patterson Avenue, and the officer continued to monitor the motorcycles from afar. They accelerated rapidly while traveling along Patterson Avenue, police reported.

"Everyone should be responsible for their actions, whether on foot, bicycle, or motor vehicle. Follow the rules of the road; slow down," said Henrico Police Lt. Matt Pecka. If you witness reckless driving, you may alert your local law enforcement agency."

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: 10:56 A.M. – A busy – and according to some drivers, dangerous – stretch of road that Henrico County has targeted for potential upgrades was the site of a fatal accident involving a motorcycle Oct. 27, the Citizen has confirmed.

Witnesses indicated that a male motorcyclist collided with another vehicle near the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Horsepen Road in the county’s Near West End. Henrico Police confirmed the fatality to the Citizen but have not yet released additional information about it.

It was the second fatal crash in the county involving a motorcyclist this week; the first occurred Oct. 26 just before 8 a.m. and involved a Ford Explorer and motorcycle that crashed at Laburnum Avenue and Montclair Road. The motorcyclist in that crash, 32-year-old David Peacock of Henrico, was transported to a local hospital, where he died. The crash remains under investigation.

Earlier this summer, the county solicited public input about possible improvements to a nearly one-mile stretch of Horsepen Road and Glenside Drive, generally between Patterson Avenue and Forest Avenue. Bike lanes, crosswalks and turn lanes were among the suggestions being considered by the county’s department of public works.

Earlier this week, Henrico Police officials urged the public to use caution on county roads, following three fatal crashes since Oct. 16.