By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SPENCER — A 21-year-old Spencer man was taken to the hospital Thursday after witnesses said he lost control of his motorcycle and struck an oncoming car.
Jason David Stanley, of Spencer, was operating the bike using a motorcycle learner’s permit, according to his license.
He was transported by ambulance to Rowan Regional Medical Center immediately following the crash and later transferred to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
A hospital spokeswoman said Stanley was in fair condition Thursday evening.
Spencer Police Chief Michael James said emergency crews received the call at 11:53 a.m.
Witnesses said Stanley was speeding through the 35 mph zone and weaving through traffic on South Salisbury Avenue prior to the wreck.
Patricia Adams, who was one of the motorists Stanley passed, said the Kawasaki fishtailed between her and the car in front of her. She said the motorcycle rider then accelerated again, this time fishtailing out of control and crossing the center line.
“He fishtailed around her, and that’s when he lost it,” Adams said.
Stanley’s bike struck the front left side of a Kia Soul heading into Spencer.
Debris from the bike littered both sides of South Salisbury Avenue at the intersection with 11th Street. The front wheel of the motorcycle was no longer attached.
Kaye Flickinger of Spencer was driving the Kia Soul that Stanley’s motorcycle hit.
“I was trying to move over,” Flickinger said. “I saw it coming and he just slammed into me.”
Flickinger, who was on the way to see her husband in the hospital, said she’s never been in a wreck like this one.
“I’ve been in two wrecks,” she said, “and I’ve never been hit that hard.”