Motorcyclist killed in Clayton wreck

John Joseph Helme III, 22, of Marcellus Way in Clayton, was northbound on Shotwell Road on a 2003 Yamaha motorcycle at about 4:30 p.m. when a southbound Chevrolet made a left turn onto Covered Bridge Road in front of him, police said.

Helme's motorcycle hit the passenger side of the car, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Grace Lynn Ragan, 19, of Covered Bridge Road, was taken to Johnston Medical Center in Clayton for treatment of minor injuries.

Witnesses told investigators that Helme was speeding before the wreck, but police said they are trying to reconstruct the incident and analyze evidence, including laboratory test results, before finishing their investigation.

The intersection was closed for about an hour after the crash.