Test-driving motorcyclist crashes, dies

OTSEGO TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 38-year-old man from the Plainwell area died after crashing his motorcycle that he had been repairing, witnesses said.

Stephen Magierka III took his 2004 Yamaha for a test drive at 11:20 p.m. Monday and crashed about a half mile into the trek on 106th Avenue near 11th Street in Otsego Township.

Police said he failed to negotiate a curve in the road, causing his bike to crash into a ditch.

Rescue personnel arrived at the scene and found a helmetless Magierka unconscious in the tall grass.

He was taken to Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo where he passed away.

"Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash [and] the presence of alcohol is unknown at this time," according to a news release from the Allegan County Sheriff's Department.