September 17th, 2008 by R.J.

An Elk Creek man died Saturday after crashing his motorcycle and plunging nearly 40 feet off the Stony Creek Bridge.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Joseph Nuckolls, 37, was riding a 1983 Honda Nighthawk motorcycle northbound on County Road 306 at about 55 mph. He attempted to turn into the eastbound lane on the Stony Creek Bridge when he lost control and hit the bridge wall, ejecting him over.

“There was an odor of alcoholic beverage on his person,” Sheriff’s Sgt. Todd James said at the scene.

Chad Davidson of Willows said he saw Nuckolls drinking alcohol prior to the accident.

Davidson said he, Nuckolls and another man were going from Elk Creek to Stony Gorge Reservoir at the time of the crash. They had planned to spend the day at the lake, he said.

Nuckolls was transported from the scene by a life-flight helicopter and died several hours later at Enloe Medical Center in Chico.

No other people were involved in the collision.