A Bacliff motorcyclist was killed late on Friday night in a head-on collision with a Dodge Charger at the intersection of State Highway 146 and State Highway 3 in La Marque, Galveston County, police said. The Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office on Saturday afternoon identified the rider as James Poff, 60, of Bacliff.

Source: i45NOW

The crash occurred at around 10:23 p.m. on Friday, November 6, at the junction of the two state highways. Dispatch records from the night describe a fully engulfed motorcycle and another vehicle at Highway 146 and Highway 3, with a medic on scene confirming the rider's death at 10:30 p.m.

Source: US Crime Radar (dispatch record)

How the crash happened, according to police

The initial investigation indicated that the motorcycle was travelling north and crossed over into the southbound lane of State Highway 146, where it collided head-on with a southbound Dodge Charger that was coming over a bridge, i45NOW reported, citing the police account of the crash.

Source: i45NOW

The man riding the motorcycle was killed, while the driver of the Charger was injured after the car careened off the road into a grassy median between the two highways and caught fire, La Marque Police Chief Byron Frankland said.

Source: i45NOW

The medical condition of the female driver of the car and the extent of her injuries were unconfirmed, but were reported as non-life-threatening, i45NOW reported. No charges were announced in the reporting published on Saturday.

Source: i45NOW

10:23 p.m.time of the crash on Friday, November 6
60age of James Poff of Bacliff, identified Saturday
~3 a.m.SH 146 reopened after closure from the Texas City Wye to FM 519
2nddeadly motorcycle crash in Galveston County that Friday

Highway 146 closed for hours

State Highway 146 between the Texas City Wye and FM 519 remained closed as of 1 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, while officers investigated and cleared the scene. The roadway reopened at about 3 a.m., i45NOW reported. SH 146 is the main highway link between the Texas City–La Marque industrial corridor and Galveston, and an overnight closure on that stretch forces traffic onto local roads and FM 519.

Source: i45NOW

Second deadly motorcycle crash of the rally's first full day

The fatality was the second deadly motorcycle crash on Friday, the first full day of the annual Lone Star Rally motorcycle event in Galveston. Earlier on Friday, a motorcyclist was killed and three others were airlifted after a head-on crash involving five motorcycles on State Highway 87 on the Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen said — a crash Awaaz Punjab reported separately. The rally draws large numbers of riders onto Galveston County highways each year, and Friday's two fatal crashes bookended its first full day.

Source: i45NOW

Investigation continuing

La Marque Police are investigating the fatal crash. The cause — including why the motorcycle crossed into the southbound lane — had not been announced as of Saturday, and the Charger driver's condition was reported as non-life-threatening.

What happens next

La Marque Police will complete their investigation into the head-on collision, including the movement of both vehicles at the SH 146 and SH 3 junction. The medical examiner's identification of James Poff on Saturday afternoon was the first official naming of the rider; police have not announced any charges, and the investigation findings are expected to determine whether any citation or charge follows.

Source: i45NOW