Premium ContentClick on Premium Content on the Featured navigation bar for information.
A motorcyclist died after a crash Wednesday night in Lincoln, increasing the number of motorcyclists killed in Nebraska this year to 21, the highest total since 2004.
Dennis Simpson, 47, of Lincoln, was eastbound on Superior Street when his motorcycle collided with a westbound car that was making a left turn to head south on 18th Street, Lincoln police said.
The crash, which occurred about 7:40 p.m., still is being investigated, police said.
Simpson was riding a 2002 Suzuki GSX-R1000, a sport bike, and was wearing a helmet, police said. The driver of the 2003 Mazda, 16-year-old Sadia Shamal of Lincoln, was wearing a seat belt.
The last time the number of motorcycle fatalities in the state topped 21 was in 1987, when 31 such deaths were reported, said Rose White with AAA Nebraska. The state helmet law went into effect Jan. 1, 1989.
Seven motorcyclists have been killed on Nebraska roads so far this month, said Fred Zwonechek, head of the state Office of Highway Safety. The pleasant weather we've seen lately — not too hot, windy or rainy — usually prompts motorcyclists to ride, he said. — Bob Glissmann
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
