Crash Claims Life of Yakima Motorcycle Rider

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office now says a patch of gravel led to the death of a motorcycle rider on Tuesday.

   Rider was killed after crashing on the Yakima Valley Highway

The YCSO says around  3:39 PM on Tuesday, February 27th, Deputies were dispatched to a report of a single-vehicle crash on the Yakima Valley Highway near East Railroad Ave.

Deputies found a 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle lying in the middle of the highway. The rider, 49-year-old Frank M. Ebenal (hometown not listed) had apparently failed to negotiate a corner while traveling west on the highway.

He lost control after hitting a patch of gravel and was ejected from the bike. Despite the efforts of EMS and other workers at the scene, Mr. Ebenal later died of his injuries.

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The YCSO says he was wearing a DOT (Department of Transportation) approved helmet. The scope of his injuries were not released by the Department.  The investigation continues, no other details were released.