Ephrata man dies in motorcycle crash

MOSES LAKE — Daniel Hector, 21, Ephrata, died in a motorcycle accident on Neppel Road, near Moses Lake, early Friday morning.

Hector was reportedly traveling southbound on Neppel Road on a 2004 Yamaha R6 motorcycle when he apparently failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, said Grant County Chief Deputy Courtney Conklin. It appeared excessive speed may have been a factor in the crash.

When the motorcycle left the roadway, it appeared he brushed up against a PUD power pole, Conklin said. Hector was found about 50 feet from his motorcycle. His helmet was located at the scene.

The body was found at about 7 a.m. Friday, Conklin said. Someone called emergency dispatch reporting they saw the motorcycle and the body in a nearby field.

When law enforcement arrived, Hector was dead.

Through investigation, it’s believed Hector crashed his motorcycle sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 12:40 a.m., he said. Authorities believe he crashed during that time frame because he was expected to be at work at Simplot for a 1 a.m. shift. Residents also reported hearing a motorcycle around that time but did not hear a crash.