Ken Hicks
Blount County, Tenn. – A man who recently moved to northeast Georgia was killed in a motorcycle accident Sept. 20 on the Tail of the Dragon (U.S. 129).
Demorest resident Ken Hicks went on a lunchtime, solo drive through the famed stretch of highway – a favorite of motorcycle and sports-car enthusiasts, touted for its 318 curves in a span of 11 miles – and timestamps provided by various photo sites set up along the road helped piece together a rough timeline of his fatal trip.
His cell phone last pinged on N.C. 28 North – around the Cable Cove area of Graham County – at 11:30 a.m. Operating a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10JR, Hicks was last spotted on the Dragon near mile marker 7 at 1:05 p.m. A passer-by later reported seeing scrape marks on the highway at mile marker 8; Hicks’ body was later spotted down an embankment.
A Tennessee Highway Patrol officer responding to the scene also encountered a 150- to 175-pound black bear near Hicks’ body. Officials with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency later told media representatives that “it was evident the bear had been scavenging the remains of the body.”
The officer attempted to “haze” (fire non-lethal warning shots, using a special ammunition) the bear with both a pistol and a rifle, but the animal refused to back down. Instead, the bear charged, leaving the officer no choice but to euthanize the animal.
“The deputy shot and killed the bear to ensure his safety and that of other first responders,” wildlife officials told the media.
Hicks recently moved to Demorest from College Station, Texas. An obituary was not available at press time, but a GoFundMe started by his son Brandon Roberts had already raised $8,000 (the original goal was $4,500) by Tuesday.
The GoFundMe states that donations will help “support the family members who have traveled from TX to GA while they work to bring him home, cover legal fees related to his passing and assist with the cost of the memorial service.”
To donate, visit gofund.me/72b4b243.