By Robert Jordan
Dunn Daily Record
HARNETT COUNTY – A 74-year-old Coats resident lost his life in a motorcycle crash on Thursday.
Officials with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol report at 1:01 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, a collision between a 2020 Chevrolet truck and a 2015 Indian motorcycle occurred at the intersection of Clayhole and Crawford roads in Harnett County.
The truck was traveling northwest on Clayhole Road and failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection, according to the Highway Patrol. The truck struck the motorcycle which was traveling southwest on Crawford Road.
Coats-Grove Fire and Rescue, Buies Creek Fire Department, Erwin Fire and Rescue and Harnett County EMS responded to the intersection just outside of the Coats town limits.
First responding units found the truck in the roadway and the motorcycle in the front yard of a home. The rider was on the ground with bystanders performing resuscitation efforts. The motorcycle rider was transported to Betsy Johnson Hospital where he died.
The driver of the truck was not injured.
The deceased victim has been identified as Larry Maynard Luedtke, 74, of 344 S. Church St., in Coats.
The other driver was identified in a Highway Patrol report that was not available at press time.
Trooper C. McIntosh of Troop B District 8 investigated the deadly crash and said the motorcycle rider was wearing a proper helmet and there was no impairment involved.
May Larry Maynard Luedtke Ride hard in Heven. Prayers for the rest of his family.
Good man. My friend. Rip Larry!