Gary Richard Barthels, 74, of Florissant, Missouri, was fatally injured in a two-vehicle crash that happened at 4:50 p.m., Saturday, May 18, on state Highway 7 at the Newton County Fairgrounds, according to an Arkansas State Police fatality report.
Barthels was operating a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was northbound when he apparently crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle in the southbound lane. That was a 2019 Kia Niro, operated by Travis Brian Standridge, 51, of Russellville. Both he and his passenger, Bobby D. Standridge, 76, of Hector, were injured and were taken to North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison.
Barthel's body was held at the Cox South morgue in Springfield, Missouri, according to the report filed by Trooper Nick R. Burleson.
The report noted the weather was clear and the road was dry at the time of the crash.
