Alcohol is suspected in a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and a Porsche on Thursday on U.S. Highway 160 west of Durango, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The motorcyclist was traveling east on Highway 160 when he failed to stop for a Porsche that had slowed to turn left onto Peaceful Drive, near mile marker 77, said Cpl. Jonathan Silver with the State Patrol.
The motorcyclist, driving a Honda Valkyrie, skidded 71 feet before impact, Silver said.
The driver was identified as Larry P. Beskoon, 75, of Marsing, Idaho, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Silver said alcohol is suspected of being a contributing factor in the crash.
“Our investigation on the scene gave us enough information that we can safely say that we suspect alcohol,” he said.
The driver of the motorcycle was wearing a helmet.
The crash was reported at 4:54 p.m. near Lake Durango, about 3½ miles east of the summit of Hesperus Hill. The highway remained open to both lanes of traffic as law enforcement and medical responders worked the scene.
The Porsche was being driven by a woman with her daughter in the passenger seat. The juvenile was taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, Silver said.
shane@durangoherald.com
