UPDATED: Local man killed in motorcycle crash near Corbin

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today for a Keavy man killed during a fatal motorcycle crash Friday afternoon near Corbin.

Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced Ravin L. Whitney, 30, of 39 Becky Lane, dead shortly after the crash, which happened about 1 p.m. on Black Diamond Road near the new Corbin school.

Funeral services will be held at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home with Rev. Harris Brewer officiating.
Burial will follow in the Asher Cemetery in Manchester.

Whitney died instantly from multiple injuries he suffered in the crash, Croley said.

"He was driving at an excessive rate of speed, failed to turn, lost control of his motorcycle, took it to the ground and struck a fixed object, which was a tree," Croley said.

Sheriff’s Lt. David Lennon, who is investigating the crash, said the 1993 Honda was heading east on the road and that the back tire of the vehicle was significantly worn.

Neither drug nor alcohol involvement is suspected, but that a routine toxicology test will be performed, Croley said. The victim was not wearing a helmet.

Lennon and the coroner’s office are continuing the investigation.

Sgt. Jerry Noe and Deputies Johnny Miller and Alan Onkst assisted at the scene along with Whitley County EMS.
Preliminary statistics indicate that seven other people died in seven other separate crashes on Kentucky roadways during the four-day July 4th Holiday period, which ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Four of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and none of those victims were wearing seat belts. Motor vehicle crashes occurred in Bullitt, Clark, Davies and Mercer counties. Two of the crashes involved the suspected use of alcohol.

Three motorcycle fatalities occurred, including the one in Whitley County, and two of those victims were not wearing helmets. The other motorcycle crashes occurred in Clark and Garrard counties.

One pedestrian fatality occurred in Hopkins County and the suspected use of alcohol is considered a factor in that death.
Through July 5, preliminary statistics indicate that 387 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2009.