Published: May 29, 2008 09:28 am      

Mt. Vernon man dies in motorcycle accident

Staff Report

JEFFERSON COUNTY — A Mt. Vernon man was killed Friday night after losing control of his motorcylce about 1/2 mile south of Illinois 148 on Nason Lane.

According to information from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, at about 11:35 p.m. Friday George Payton, 38, was northbound on Nason Lane near Elk Prairie when he lost control of his 1999 Honda and left the roadway on the west side of the road. Payton was thrown from the motorcycle and he was later pronounced dead.

On Saturday, May 17, a Washington County man received major injuries as a result of a motorcyle accident. According to the Illinois State Police, Roy A. Smith, 45 of Irvington, was driving a motorcyle westbound on Interstate 64, when he exited the roadway near mile marker 37 and struck a guardrail. Smith was thrown from the motorcycle and taken to St. Louis University Hospital where he was treated for major injuries.

Smith was cited for improper lane usuage.

No other information regarding either incident is available from police at this time.