Robert Scott Hyde
Fontana Dam – A county native was found deceased May 10, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident five days prior.
The Graham County Sheriff’s Office began circulating a flyer on Facebook May 8, seeking information on the whereabouts of 62-year-old Robert Scott Hyde, who had recently returned to the area and had just purchased a mobile home to be placed on a property at 282 Lower Stecoah Road.
Two days later, Hyde was found down a steep embankment off N.C. Highway 28 in Fontana Dam. Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit told The Graham Star on Monday that Jeff and Nick Millsaps of the Graham County Fire and Rescue Squad were searching for Hyde on May 10, when Nick spotted a chunk of bark missing from a tree on the side of the road.
A faint tire mark was the only indication that anything had occurred, but both spotted a motorcycle and Hyde off the embankment. Hoxit said the motorcycle was roughly 30 feet down, with Hyde’s body located 20 feet past the cycle around 6:30 p.m.
Preliminary findings indicated that Hyde was traveling south on Highway 28 when his red 2000 Harley Davidson crossed the center line and left the roadway, striking a tree and overturned. Hoxit said speed did not appear to be a factor in the accident.
The discovery was the culmination of a multi-day search operation, with officers riding the motorcycle-friendly corridors of U.S. Highway 129 and Highway 28 on May 9 to search for Hyde, who had told a family member May 5 that he was going out for a ride on the motorcycle, but never returned. He was last seen in the area of Johnson Gap (where N.C. 28 and N.C. Highway 143 intersect).
Graham County EMS Director Brian Stevens had coordinated a search mission with both the county and Stecoah rescue squads, while Hoxit had also enlisted the help of the N.C. Highway Patrol’s helicopter for an unsuccessful aerial search earlier May 10.
Condolences poured in on Facebook once The Star broke the news about Hyde’s accident May 10.
“I hate this happened; I always liked hanging out with Scott growing up in Stecoah,” said Mark DeHart.
“My condolences to the family; my brother died doing what he loved,” Roger Lee said. “I will miss you, my friend.”