A LaFayette man was killed Saturday evening in a motorcycle accident in Chattooga County.
According to the Chattooga County Coroner’s Office, the crash happened on Shinbone Valley Road in the Menlo area. Chattooga County E-911 notified the coroner’s office of the accident at approximately 6:18 p.m. on May 16.
Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney said 39-year-old James Cody Penland of LaFayette was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said Penland was operating a motorcycle when it left the roadway and struck a tree. He was the only person on the motorcycle, and investigators do not believe any other vehicles were involved.
The accident was reportedly discovered and called in by a passer-by.
The Georgia State Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
Assisting at the scene were the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Department, Atrium Floyd EMS and the Menlo Fire Department.