A Belfair man is dead following a motorcycle crash in Port Orchard Jan. 22.

Officials say 52-year-old Erik D Vaubel was headed west on Highway 16 near the Tremont Street exit just before 7 p.m. While driving at a high rate of speed, he lost control of his 1994 Kawasaki on a curve, striking a jersey barrier and a guardrail with the motorcycle.

Vaubel was thrown and landed on the highway, where medical personnel found him and treated him before he was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He was reportedly wearing a helmet.

The accident caused the highway to close for several hours, with traffic being diverted to Tremont. Washington State Patrol spokesperson Katherine Weatherwax said multiple collisions were reported on the highway that evening due to foggy conditions.