'A high rate of speed' without a helmet: Providence man dies in Cranston motorcycle crash

CRANSTON − A 39-year-old Providence man died in a motorcycle crash Monday night, according to the Cranston police.

Alexander Pena was riding with a friend on another motorcycle when he "accelerated at a high rate of speed" and lost control at a slight bend in the road near 372 Wellington Avenue , the police said in a press release.

Traveling south at about 6:10 p.m., the 2011 Suzuki GSXR 750 struck a curb on the west side of Wellington Avenue, and Pena was thrown from the bike, coming to rest between a guardrail and a chain link fence bordering Interstate 95 North.

Pena was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead by Cranston rescue personnel. The police are still investigating the crash.

The Cranston police offered their "heartfelt condolences" to the Pena family.

"As a reminder to all operators of any type of motorcycle as the spring and summer season approaches, extreme caution should be exercised along with the proper safety equipment to prevent injuries," the police said. "The roads are always bearing the remnants of the winter road treatments including sand and other debris, so it is equally important to maintain proper speeds and obey all traffic laws.”

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'A high rate of speed' without a helmet: Providence man dies in Cranston motorcycle crash