Motorcycle Dealer In North Van

23-year-old Lawrence man identified as victim in fatal motorcycle accident

Lawrence police Thursday afternoon identified a 23-year-old Lawrence man as the motorcyclist who died in a head-on crash Wednesday evening on Iowa Street.

Josh Skipton, who friends said worked at a Lawrence auto dealership, was pronounced dead at the accident scene Wednesday near Iowa Street and University Drive.

Police said Wednesday that officers believe Skipton, who was driving his 2005 Yamaha motorcycle north on Iowa Street, tried to stop in traffic and then went into the southbound lane where he was struck by a van in oncoming traffic.

“After the motorcycle crossed the center line it was struck by a 1996 Ford Econoline van that was traveling southbound on Iowa Street in the inside lane,” said Sgt. Matt Sarna, a police spokesman.

The crash occurred about 6:15 p.m., and it caused one of Lawrence’s busiest streets to be closed for several hours as police investigated the accident.

Sarna on Thursday identified the driver of the van as 55-year-old Mary Barnes of Kansas City, Kan. Barnes and her two passengers were not injured.

“Accident investigators with the Lawrence Police Department’s Traffic Unit are currently reconstructing the scene to determine the circumstances before the accident occurred,” Sarna said. “It is not believed at this time that alcohol was a contributing factor to the accident.”

Friends of Skipton said Thursday they were still dealing with the shock of losing their friend.

“He’s just a great guy. He’s a great friend,” said Lawrence resident Daniel Guebara, who grew up with Skipton in Deerfield, which is near Garden City. “He was always there for anything. He would go through hoops for anybody just so they would be happy.”

Guebara said Skipton was on his way home from work when the accident occurred. The two childhood friends graduated from Garden City Community College together. Skipton had attended Kansas State University and Kansas University, Guebara said, but he had taken time off to concentrate on his salesman job.

Zero Motorcycles' New Dealership Model Expands North with Nine New ...

SANTA CRUZ, CA – August 31, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in electric motorcycle technology, today announced its official expansion north with the launch of its new Canadian dealership program. Coming right on the heels of its recent U.S. announcement, Zero is naming its first nine dealers in Canada that have signed on to sell Zero’s vast product line-up at the retail level. The addition of traditional motorsports dealers in Canada furthers Zero’s strategic efforts to give retail consumers hands-on access to see, feel and test ride all five models in Zero’s 2011 line-up. Zero Motorcycles has selected nine of Canada’s top motorsports dealers to carry its entire product line:

“Just as we have recognized the strong consumer demand for the Zero experience in a retail environment in the U.S., we know there are many Canadian enthusiasts who have long been awaiting the opportunity to test ride our products first-hand,” said John Lloyd, Vice President of Global Sales, Zero Motorcycles. “We are absolutely thrilled to have such strong new partners in Canada and we look forward to helping them succeed.”

On July 12, Zero announced the official launch of its U.S. dealership model. Zero is already seeing the success of its U.S. program with dealers quickly reporting in that bikes have been sold and interest is high. Zero announced eight new American retail locations spanning from California to Michigan. Zero will continue adding new powersports dealers in both the U.S. and Canada with numbers expected to reach 50+ by the end of the year. Those interested in buying or learning more about Zero Motorcycles’ new dealership locations can visit Zero’s web site for more details.

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