BOTETOURT COUNTY, VA — A nighttime motorcycle ride turned tragic Friday when 27-year-old Darnell Wesley Adams of Maryland lost control of his Triumph Thruxton 900 along a dangerous curve where Route 460 meets the Blue Ridge Parkway. Virginia State Police confirmed Adams died despite wearing proper safety gear and being rushed to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital after the 9:30 p.m. crash.
The preliminary investigation reveals Adams’ British-made cafe racer motorcycle drifted off the roadway’s right shoulder before striking a historic stone retaining wall near the parkway entrance. The violent impact scattered motorcycle components across 50 yards of the scenic byway, which sees frequent motorcycle traffic during peak riding season. Troopers noted the absence of skid marks suggests Adams may not have braked before leaving the pavement.
This marks the third fatal motorcycle crash along this serpentine section of Route 460 in five years. The Virginia Department of Transportation recently added warning signs for the deceptive curve, where the roadway narrows abruptly from 55 mph to 35 mph. Adams’ Maryland registration adds complexity to the investigation, with police tracking his route through toll cameras and gas station receipts.
Fellow riders from Adams’ Baltimore motorcycle club created a roadside memorial at the crash site, adorning the damaged wall with his helmet and racing gloves. “Darnell lived for these mountain rides,” said club president Marcus Reed, noting Adams had completed an advanced rider safety course just last month.
As the medical examiner determines whether a medical emergency contributed to the crash, state police are appealing to drivers who may have witnessed Adams’ final moments. The investigation continues with particular focus on road conditions and whether wildlife or debris played a role in the fatal departure from the roadway.
