Dirt bike rider killed

Top photo shows damage done to pickup truck when it struck a dirt bike Wednesday night. Officials said the driver of the truck swerved to avoid a mo-ped that had pulled into its path. Photo at left shows parts of dirt bike. (Ledger photos / RODGER PAINTER) A 19-year-old man riding a dirt bike on a dark stretch of Highway 150 on Wednesday night was killed when a truck crossed into his lane of travel while trying to avoid a mo-ped rider.

Jason Scott Allen, of Hamlet Road, was pronounced dead at the scene by Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler.

According to Fowler, Allen was operating a CBI dirt bike heading north on Highway 150 at about 8:20 p.m. when he was struck by a Ford pickup driven by James Edward Rector, 65, of Quarter Round Road.

Fowler said Rector, who was headed South, had moved over into the northbound lane to avoid striking a mo-ped that had pulled into the path of his truck near the Goucher School Road intersection. Rector's truck then collided with Allen, whose dirt bike was not equipped with lights.

Following the impact, Allen and the dirt bike traveled down a 17- foot embankment, Fowler said. Allen was not wearing a helmet.

Emergency workers from Goucher-White Plains Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, as did paramedics.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. Fowler said he ordered an autopsy to assist in the investigation.

Allen is the 14th person killed on Cherokee County's highways this year and the second person to die in a vehicular accident this week.

A self-employed carpenter, Allen is survived by many family members locally. His obituary can be found on Page 8A.