Kennewick man killed in motorcycle crash

WARDEN, Wash.-- A motorcycle crash in Grant County claimed the life of a Kennewick man Monday.

According to the Grant County Sheriff's Office, a motorcycle ridden by James Boles, 55, was headed south on Road U Southeast north of Warden, when he tried passing a semi-truck that was hauling potatoes.

The motorcycle clipped a back tire on the rig, ejecting Boles from the motorcycle. He landed in the northbound lanes of traffic, where he was struck by an oncoming semi-truck.

Boles died at the scene.

The driver of potato truck did not realize that his rig had been hit, and continued south until he was stopped by deputies and returned to the scene of the crash.

Investigators say excessive speed likely played a role in the crash.