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Cyclist killed in Saturday crash

Moped rider dies on I-64 in separate crash soon afterwards

July 23, 2012

Two people lost their lives within 30 minutes of each other early Saturday morning, one in a motorcycle crash on Cabin Creek Road and the other on Interstate 64 just inside Fayette County.

The first happened around 3:26 a.m. Saturday, when 23-year-old Michael T. Smith of 3081 Mount Sterling Road crashed his motorcycle on Cabin Creek Road about eight miles from Winchester. According to the report at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Smith missed a right-hand curve while riding his 2008 Honda CBR600 motorcycle. Deputies said his motorcycle left the road and entered a ditch before it hit a fence and a tree. Smith was ejected from the motorcycle and struck the tree.

Clark County Sheriff Berl Perdue Jr. said he did not believe Smith was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. There were no witnesses. Deputies do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash.

After the impact, deputies said the motorcycle crossed the road and stopped in the yard at 901 Cabin Creek Road.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

Less than a half-hour later, another fatal accident occurred on Interstate 64 near the Clark-Fayette county line. Initially, the accident was believed to be in Clark County, but local responders were canceled after it was determined to be in Fayette County.

According to Lexington Police, Kevin S. Kinitgos of Greenup was traveling east in the center on a moped near the 89 mile marker at 3:50 a.m. when he was hit from behind by a Mitsubishi Eclipse, driven by Keith Malone of Mount Sterling. Police said Kinitgos was traveling at a low rate of speed. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:05 a.m.

After the initial impact, police said Kinitgos was struck by a tractor trailer, which continued eastbound on the interstate. Police believe the driver may not know that he hit Kinitgos.

Lexington Police kept the interstate closed for several hours Saturday while they investigated and reconstructed the accident. It was reopened at 10:23 a.m.

Malone was not injured.

Contact Fred Petke at fpetke@winchestersun.com.

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