Salem motorcyclist dies in crash on Center Street Bridge off-ramp to Front Street NE

This story was updated at 10:50 p.m. Thursday

A Salem motorcyclist is dead after a crash Thursday night on the off-ramp from the Center Street Bridge to Front Street NE, according to Salem Police.

Police responded to the crash at 6:10 p.m.

Police said a preliminary investigation showed 27-year-old Mark Steven Sewell was heading eastbound on the bridge and lost control of the motorcycle as he was negotiating the right curve to continue down the off-ramp and hit the concrete barrier. Sewell was thrown across the barrier and fell 30 feet below the bridge, according to police. Police said Sewell was pronounced dead at the scene.

The off-ramp was closed for two and a half hours due to the crash.

Salem Police said it has responded to nine major crashes that have resulted in nine deaths this year.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem motorcyclist dies in crash on Center Street Bridge off-ramp to Front Street NE