Leesville motorcyclist dies Friday morning

A Leesville man died Friday morning after a motorcycle crash in which excessive speed is believed to have been a factor, according to Louisiana State Police.

Austin T. Chandler, 22, died at the scene of the 3 a.m. crash on La. Highway 121, east of Hicks. He was driving a 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle southbound on La. 121 when he crossed a bridge at a high rate of speed, lost control and hit a guardwall on the north side of the road.

After hitting the guardwall, the motorcycle hit a Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development marker sign. Chandler was ejected and died, despite wearing a helmet, reads the release.

Routine toxicology tests are pending. An investigation is continuing.

The crash is Troop E's 16th fatal of 2017, resulting in 21 fatalities.