A Buckhannon man was killed in a wreck along Stoney Run Road Saturday, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

“At approximately 4:58 p.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2021, the 911 center received a call in reference to a single vehicle accident on Stoney Run Road in Buckhannon,” the press release states. “Deputy Barcus of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene and was notified by the medical personnel that driver of the motorcycle was deceased upon [their] arrival.”

“The victim was identified as Michael Ray Riffle, 40, of Buckhannon,” the release states. “Mr. Riffle was driving a 2001 Harley Davison.”

According to the release, the victim crossed the roadway and hit a guardrail support beam.

“The investigation revealed Mr. Riffle had been traveling east on Stoney Run Road when he crossed the double yellow line, left the roadway to the north, traveled to the inside of the guardrail and struck a guardrail support beam, behind the guardrail face, launching the motorcycle to the north and into the fence line,” according to the release. “Located on the support beam was what appeared to be rubber from the tire; the beam was also bent down and partially separated from the guardrail. There were tire marks in the gravel behind the guardrail face leading to the support beam. The victim’s body was located approximately 47 feet from where the vehicle left the roadway.”

Barcus was assisted by TFS S. Shahan of the West Virginia State Police. The investigation is ongoing.

You can read Mr. Riffle’s obituary here.