79-year-old man dies after crashing 3-wheel motorcycle in Oakland County

OAKLAND COUNNTY, MI – A 79-year-old man died after he crashed his newly-modified, three-wheeled motorcycle in Oakland County.

WDIV-TV in Detroit reports that John Lewis Blackwell, 79, of Pontiac, had just added the third wheel to his 2011 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

He lost control of the bike while navigating a turn on Baldwin Road, west of Clarkston Road, in Orion Township on Monday.

Blackwell struck a curb and was ejected from the motorcycle, according to police, before landing on the west side of the road.

“Oakland County Sheriff’s Office crash investigators believe Blackwell’s unfamiliarity with operating the modified vehicle led to the accident,” deputies said.

Blackwell was taken to a nearby hospital by Orion Township firefighters, but he died from his injuries, the TV station reported. Alcohol is not a factor in the crash, according to police.