Email This   Larger Font      Print This   Smaller Font Advertisement   Steven Lane/The Columbian Jennifer Lewis and Joe Leasure comfort each other Saturday after Rocky Gesner crashed at the Washougal Motocross Park. “He was the nicest kid I ever met in my entire life” Lewis said.

Sunday, May 11, 2008
By Laura McVicker, Columbian Staff Writer

An 18-year-old racer competing in a tournament at Washougal Motocross Park was fatally injured Saturday after his bike spun out of control and he was thrown.

The cyclist, Rocky Gesner of Orting, was taking a practice run on the track prior to his race. He was speeding along a downhill portion when the front wheel of his bike turned out, sending him onto the track where he suffered severe chest injuries, park officials reported.

Two Clark County sheriff’s units and two paramedic units responded and were transporting him to a Life Flight helicopter when he died. It was about 9:30 a.m., 45 minutes after the crash.

Park officials don’t know what caused Gesner’s bike to spin out, and they don’t know why his plunge was severe enough to be fatal. There have been bike spin-out crashes at the track before, but they’ve usually only resulted in minor injuries, said Brian Barnes, spokesman for the park.

Gesner, an experienced racer from a small town southeast of Tacoma, was wearing protective gear, including a helmet and chest and neck pads.

“It’s basically what I would consider in 30 years experience, a very freak deal,” Barnes said. “He’s rode here many times before. This was an intermediate rider who was one step below the professional level.”

Saturday’s crash was only the second fatality at Washougal’s track since it opened in 1971, Barnes said.

 Gesner was competing in a regional tournament that drew 560 racers from six states and Canada. Races went on after the crash, and will continue Sunday.

Following Gesner’s death, organizers and participants had a moment of silence. “All riders are riding on in his memory,” Barnes said.

A medical examiner determined Gesner died from his injuries, and the investigation is considered closed, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Eastman.

Laura McVicker can be reached at 360-735-4516 or
laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.