UPDATED: Motorcyclist found dead in ditch near Port Angeles identified

PORT ANGELES — Clallam County sheriff’s deputies were investigating this morning (Friday) a single-motorcycle wreck that took the life of a 25-year-old Port Angeles man Thursday night on Black Diamond Road.

Sgt. Randy Pieper with the Sheriff’s Office said an investigator is trying to determine what caused Chaz R. Sands to veer off the pavement in the 2200 block of Black Diamond Road into a roadside ditch.

Passing motorists found Sands next to the 2008 Buell1125 motorcycle he had been riding at 6:49 p.m. Thursday.

Deputies Shaun Minks and Laticia Wells along with paramedic personnel came to the scene and found Sands unresponsive, Pieper said.

Attempts to revive Sands were unsuccessful, he added.

Pieper said head injuries probably contributed to the death of Sands, who was wearing a helmet.

Deputies have no explanation yet on what might have caused the wreck, Pieper said, and there are no known witnesses. There was no ice on the road, and there’s no indication that drugs or alcohol were a factor.

Sands’ parents, with whom he was staying in the Black Diamond area, have been notified, Pieper said.

Deputies believe Sands was on his way home from work, Pieper said.

————

Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Crews work to remove metal siding on the north side of Field Arts & Events Hall on Thursday in Port Angeles. The siding is being removed so it can be replaced. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Siding to be replaced

Crews work to remove metal siding on the north side of Field… Continue reading

Tsunami study provides advice

Results to be discussed on Jan. 20 at Field Hall

Chef Arran Stark speaks with attendees as they eat ratatouille — mixed roasted vegetables and roasted delicata squash — that he prepared in his cooking with vegetables class. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Nonprofit school is cooking at fairgrounds

Remaining lectures to cover how to prepare salmon and chicken

Port Townsend Main Street Program volunteers, from left, Amy Jordan, Gillian Amas and Sue Authur, and Main Street employees, Sasha Landes, on the ladder, and marketing director Eryn Smith, spend a rainy morning decorating the community Christmas tree at the Haller Fountain on Wednesday. The tree will be lit at 4 p.m. Saturday following Santa’s arrival by the Kiwanis choo choo train. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Decoration preparation

Port Townsend Main Street Program volunteers, from left, Amy Jordan, Gillian Amas… Continue reading

Port Angeles approves balanced $200M budget

City investing in savings for capital projects

Olympic Medical Center Board President Ann Henninger, left, recognizes commissioner Jean Hordyk on Wednesday as she steps down after 30 years on the board. Hordyk, who was first elected in 1995, was honored during the meeting. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
OMC Commissioners to start recording meetings

Video, audio to be available online

Jefferson PUD plans to keep Sims Way project overhead

Cost significantly reduced in joint effort with port, city

Committee members sought for ‘For’ and ‘Against’ statements

The Clallam County commissioners are seeking county residents to… Continue reading

Christopher Thomsen, portraying Santa Claus, holds a corgi mix named Lizzie on Saturday at the Airport Garden Center in Port Angeles. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Peninsula Friends of Animals. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Santa Paws

Christopher Thomsen, portraying Santa Claus, holds a corgi mix named Lizzie on… Continue reading

Peninsula lawmakers await budget

Gov. Ferguson to release supplemental plan this month

Clallam County looks to pass deficit budget

Agency sees about 7 percent rise over 2025 in expenditures

Officer testifies bullet lodged in car’s pillar

Witness says she heard gunfire at Port Angeles park