Authorities investigating fatal motorcycle crash in Wildcat Hills

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY - Excessive speed is being blamed in a fatal motorcycle crash in Scotts Bluff County on Monday.

Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Sgt. Mark Bliss says Madison Hicks, 31, of Scottsbluff, was riding a BMW motorcycle southbound on Highway 71 south of Gering when he failed to negotiate a curve north of the “Wildcat Estates”, crossing the median into the northbound lane and off the road to the left. Hicks - who was wearing a helmet, according to authorities, but it appeared the helmet was not properly secured - was ejected from the motorcycle during the crash.

Bliss says Hicks was reported missing at approximately 4 p.m.. A family member told authorities Hicks was going on a motorcycle ride to Kimball on Sunday. As deputies were gathering information about a missing person report, another report was received by the sheriff's office about a motorcycle found off of Hwy. 71.

Hicks was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The accident remains under investigation.