Last Friday, 60 year old Charles Ridden Whipple of Pennsylvania was killed in a motorcycle accident on Route 181 in Sparta.  The crash occurred late in the afternoon, when three motorcyclists were driving along Route 181.  The motorcyclist in front lost control of his vehicle and slid across the roadway.  When Mr. Whipple tried to avoid an accident with the other motorcyclist his brakes locked and he hit a car.  Mr. Whipple was declared dead at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover.

The first motorcyclist who lost control has been identified as 45 year old Gregory Hartman.  He has been charged with driving while intoxicated, careless driving, failure to keep right and failure to wear a proper safety helmet.  Mr. Hartman suffered minor injuries in the accident. 

The Sparta Police Fatal Accident Unit is continuing to investigate this fatal New Jersey motorcycle accident.