Motorcyclist Killed in Smokies Multi-Vehicle Accident

A Louisiana man died Thursday after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing into two other vehicles on Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Rangers responded to a report of a motorcycle collision on Newfound Gap Road approximately 12 miles north of Cherokee, NC. about noon on Thursday, July 4, 2019. Cherokee Indian Police Department Officers, Cherokee Tribal EMS and Cherokee Fire Department also responded to the scene.

According to a park release, 50-year-old Roger Clyde Anders Jr., of of Pleasant Hill, LA, was traveling on Newfound Gap Road when he lost control of his motorcycle, hit another motorcycle in front of him, and then veered into oncoming traffic where he collided with a small SUV. Anders died as a result of his injuries.

Newfound Gap Road was temporarily closed for approximately three hours due to the accident. The road was reopened at approximately 3:30 p.m. No additional details were available. 

It was the second time in two days that a multi-vehicle accident prompted the closure of Newfound Gap Road. At about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, the road was closed from Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg to Smokemont Campground near Cherokee, NC to all incoming traffic for several hours after a multi-vehicle accident occurred about 3 miles south of Newfound Gap. Mountain Area Medical Airlift transported two people involved in that accident to Mission Hospital in Asheville.