KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A motorcyclist died Friday night after his Harley went off the road.
Kansas City police said the driver was traveling south on the ramp from Cookingham Road just before the curve to go back north on I-435. Authorities say the man failed to negotiate the curve and went off the road around 8:30 Friday night. He was ejected from the bike. The driver was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police said the man, who was later identified as 64-year-old Ricky L. Childers, was not wearing a helmet.
In July, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill into law that waives the requirement that all motorcyclists must wear helmets. The new law exempts motorcycle riders who are at least 26 years old. Those who choose not to wear a helmet must have health insurance coverage.
According to authorities, this is the first motorcycle fatality of a driver not wearing a helmet in KCMO since the law changed.
This is the first fatal crash of the Labor Day weekend in KCMO.
