ATHOL — The victim in Wednesday’s fatal crash on Route 2 has been identified as Curtis Byner, 25, of Athol.
The crash occurred near mile marker 75 on Route 2 eastbound in Athol at around 4 p.m., according to a Massachusetts State Police press release. The motorcycle, a 2002 Honda, was the only vehicle involved.
According to State Police, Byner had died before troopers from the Athol barracks arrived, having sustained serious injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The state Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and Athol Police and Fire departments also responded. According to State Police, all lanes of Route 2 were temporarily closed to facilitate crash scene reconstruction and investigation. Route 2 reopened at 9:50 p.m.
State Police Troop C is investigating with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the State Police Detective Unit for Franklin County.