CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A motorcyclist is dead after police say he struck a guardrail in north Charlotte on Wednesday afternoon.
Officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were called to Ridge Road near the Highland Creek area where they located a 2001 burgundy Harley Davidson motorcycle that had been involved in a single-vehicle accident.
Medic pronounced the driver, 65-year-old Phillip Reed, dead on scene. His family has been notified of his death.
Witnesses say the motorcycle was traveling around a curve heading southeast on Ridge Road at a high rate of speed. Reed used poor judgment as he drove the curve, causing him to travel left of center and into the opposite lane of travel. After crossing the center lane, Reed applied his brakes, skidded and laid down the motorcycle. He was ejected off the motorcycle and struck the guardrail.
Police say Reed was wearing a helmet and not impaired at the time of the crash. Excessive speed, however, is suspected as a contributing factor.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
