On October 26, 2016 at about 2PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a crash on Highway 101 near milepost 185 (north of Florence). Initial information was it involved a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle. Preliminary investigation revealed a 1984 Honda motorcycle was traveling northbound on Highway 101 at a high rate of speed using the center turn lane to pass other vehicles just prior to the crash. A 2012 Hyundai sedan had been traveling westbound on Sutton Lake Road when it came to a stop at and then turned south onto Highway 101. The sedan was struck by the motorcycle as it pulled onto the highway, ejecting the motorcyclist. The motorcycle rider who lost his life has been identified as Ryan W PETERSMANN, age 19, of Laramie, Wyoming. The driver of the Hyundai, Blaine L KAHLE (female), age 28, of Florence, was not injured. Witnesses stated the motorcycle did not have a headlight, had been traveling at a high rate of speed and it was limited visibility at the time of the crash due to rain.
