Police Investigating Motorcycle Crash During Group Ride

By WYDaily Staff Friday, April 02, 2010

A group motorcycle ride on a beautiful day turned tragic Thursday when two motorcyclists somehow crashed.

James City County police say a group of six motorcyclists heading from Richmond and bound for a Norfolk naval base were traveling eastbound in the 2300 block of John Tyler Highway just east of the Chickahominy River when the crash occurred around 2:44 p.m.

Both drivers are Navy servicemen, although James City County Police Deputy Chief Stan Stout could not provide specifics.

One driver, a 27-year-old, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to the VCU Medical Center in Richmond. His name is being withheld until the Navy can notify family members.

The other, 27-year-old Kendrick Rafliff of Prentiss, Miss., suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

Stout said the crash remains under investigation, but it appears alcohol was not a factor. He said police do not know yet if speed was a factor. The posted limit on that stretch of highway is 55 mph. As of Friday morning, no charges had been filed.