Cyclist killed in chase
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on August 10, 2005 1:58 PM
A 26-year-old motorcyclist was killed during a high-speed chase Tuesday night when he tried to elude a Wayne County sheriff's deputy, the Highway Patrol reported.
The victim was identified as Jacob Allen Hobbs of 3379 U.S. 117 North.
Sheriff Carey Winders said today that Sgt. Carter Hicks tried to stop Hobbs because the taillight was out on his motorcycle.
State Trooper D.B. Finch said Hobbs was traveling west on Big Daddy's Road at about 11:05 p.m. when he entered a curve near Airport Road and the motorcycle ran off the highway.
Tire marks were left for 117 feet and the motorcycle then traveled another 87 feet before stopping, the trooper said.
"The motorcycle ran off the left side of the road, struck a ditch, ejecting the driver," Finch said. The motorcycle and "the driver struck a driveway culvert."
Finch estimated the motorcycle's speed at 100 mph, based on the evidence at the scene and Hicks' statement. The trooper said the motorcycle was going about 80 mph when it left the two-lane road, where the speed limit was 55 mph.
Winders said Hobbs did not have a motorcycle license or insurance and the tag on the bike had expired.
The sheriff said Hicks faced no disciplinary action and would return to duty with his patrol shift.
Winders went to the wreck scene and notified Hobbs' mother, who lives near Pikeville.
Damage was estimated at $2,500 to the 1999 Harley Davidson. The motorcycle was registered to Susan Marie Bass of 3376 U.S. 117 North.
The death was the 12th this year on Wayne County roads.