Man dies in cycle wreck

A Coulee City man died Monday afternoon as he rode a three-wheeled motorcycle down Highway 17 toward Soap Lake.

Benjamin L. Coates, 78, was southbound about 13 miles north of Soap Lake when, according to a Washington State Patrol investigation, he passed three vehicles in a no-passing zone before a curve, moved back into the southbound lane, then lost control of the trike and drove off the right shoulder, hitting a rock wall.

The crash happened about 12:26 p.m. at milepost 89. Coates was riding a blue 2011 Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra.