A 30-year-old Ashley man has died as the result of a car-motorcycle accident in Ashley late Friday afternoon. Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger pronounced Michael Pinkston dead at the scene at 4:03 Friday afternoon.
The coroner reports Pinkston was traveling west on Main Street at a reportedly high rate of speed when he crossed over the railroad tracks and struck a white Honda sedan that was traveling east and turning north on West Railroad Street. Pinkston was wearing a helmet.
Both occupants of the car were injured and transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
The portion of Main Street (Illinois Route 15) was closed for several hours as the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit investigated.
Toxicology samples were obtained by Coroner Styninger for routine testing. The cause of death was massive head trauma and the manner of death was determined to be accidental. The accident continues to be investigated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner’s Office.
Agencies assisting at the scene were the Ashley Fire Department, Washington County Ambulance Service, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Washington County Coroner’s Office.
Obituary information is available in the obituary section of WJBDradio.com.
