Man Dies in St. Clair Motorcycle Crash

A 67-year-old man was killed on Friday morning when the motorcycle he was riding crashed after careening into a ditch near Hoff Insurance Agency, 245 S. Commercial Ave.

According to the St. Clair Police Department report, Elmer Page of Herculaneum was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital Washington about a half-hour after the 10:27 a.m. crash.

The driver of the homemade, three-wheeled 2003 motorcycle, Elvis Moss, 69, of Pevely was taken to Mercy Hospital Washington and later transferred to Mercy Hospital St. Louis for treatment.

The motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the accident.

Police Chief Bill Hammack said Moss was northbound on South Commercial Avenue after crossing through the traffic signal at West Gravois Avenue when he noticed a stopped northbound vehicle waiting to turn into Hoff Insurance.

According to information gathered at the scene, Hammack said that Moss stated he swerved his motorcycle to the left to avoid a collision. It traveled through the Hoff Insurance parking lot and hit the southeast corner of the building. Moss was ejected at that time.

The vehicle continued across Mosley Avenue and struck a cable barrier. Both Page and the motorcycle tumbled down a steep embankment on the other side of the barrier and came to rest in a deep ditch.

Hammack said he did not know whether Moss was following too close, was inattentive or neither. He did say both men were wearing helmets.

The duo was traveling to Jefferson City.

St. Clair Ambulance personnel transported both men to Mercy Hospital Washington. Hammack said Moss’ injuries were extensive and included a severely broken leg.

Page was pronounced dead at 11:04 a.m.