Detectives suspect mechanical failure in deadly motorcycle crash at Evergreen State Fair

"Based on my observations of the scene and damage to the motorcycle I believe Ritter likely encountered a catastrophic mechanical failure at or near the end of the drag course resulting in the rear wheel of the motorcycle becoming locked.  The locking of the rear wheel would explain the long single tire mark that was observed leading from the end of the course to the point of impact with the bus.  Once the rear tire became locked Ritter would have been able to continue sliding in a somewhat straight line but would have lost the ability to turn the motorcycle to avoid running off the track and into the parked bus," said detective Marc Monson.