Allegany County Accident Update — Authorities are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that claimed the life of 27-year-old Dacota Craig Powers of Keyser, West Virginia, on Monday morning along McMullen Highway in Allegany County, Maryland.
According to the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were dispatched just before 10 a.m. to the 23000 block of McMullen Highway after receiving reports of a serious single-vehicle motorcycle crash. When first responders arrived, they found Powers with fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
Investigators identified the victim as Dacota Craig Powers, 27, of Keyser, West Virginia. Sgt. Christopher Hill of the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office said preliminary findings indicate that excessive speed was a contributing factor in the crash. Officials also reported that although Powers was wearing a motorcycle helmet, it became dislodged during the collision, leaving him vulnerable to catastrophic injuries.
Several emergency agencies responded to assist at the scene, including the Rawlings Volunteer Fire Department, Keyser Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-Towns EMS, the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services, and the Allegany County EMS Supervisor. A Maryland State Police helicopter was initially requested to transport the victim, but the request was cancelled after responders confirmed that Powers had died at the scene.
The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office Crash Team is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash. Authorities said detectives are continuing to examine all available evidence to determine exactly what occurred.
Officials also noted that the collision happened along the same stretch of McMullen Highway where a logging truck driver was killed in a separate fatal crash on February 19, 2024. Investigators said that, at this stage of the investigation, no witnesses have come forward.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office at 301-777-1585. The investigation remains active as authorities continue working to determine all factors that contributed to the fatal motorcycle crash.
