1 dead after motorcycle accident near Wintergreen

A man was killed in a motorcycle accident on the Rockfish Valley Highway near the resort town of Wintergreen in Nelson County over the weekend.

According to Virginia State Police, Francis M. Saunders III, a 43-year-old Nellysford resident, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

State police said they were called to a reported accident on Rockfish Valley Highway near the Glenthorne Loop intersection around 7:45 p.m. Sunday.

According to police, Saunders was driving his 2017 Harley-Davidson FXDLS north on the highway when he ran off the right side of the road near the Glenthorne intersection.

According to police, Saunders’ motorcycle struck the pavement of Glenthorne Loop, was thrown through the air and then struck a railing. Saunders, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from his seat.

Saunders was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries, according to police.