Monroe man dies after crashing motorcycle into tree

PALERMO — A man is dead after he crashed his motorcycle into a tree at the intersection of Carr’s Corner and North Palermo roads on Friday afternoon, police said this week.

The crash happened at approximately 3:56 p.m. when 53-year-old Wayne Grotton of Monroe lost control of his 2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, said Shannon Moss, public information officer for the Maine State Police. It is unclear at this time whether he was wearing a helmet.

The initial investigation by the Maine State Police shows that alcohol and “excessive speed” were involved in the crash, but no other vehicles or people were involved, Moss said.

The Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and Waldo County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the man who died was from Monroe.