The Rapid City Journal
Sunday, July 13, 2014

Texas man dies in motorcycle wreck near Deadwood

A Texas man died Saturday after he struck a stand of trees while riding his motorcycle south of Deadwood.

Vernon Joey Dawson, 50, of Spring, Texas, was riding northbound on U.S. Highway 385 about five miles south of Deadwood when he failed to navigate a curve and entered the east ditch.

Dawson, who was not wearing a helmet, then struck a stand of trees. He was transported to Rapid City Regional Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.

The Brighton Blade
Monday, July 14, 2014

Dawson, BHS grad, dies in motorcycle crash


DEADWOOD, S.D. – Funeral services for Vernon J. Dawson, a Brighton High School graduate, will be at 10 a.m., July 17, at Zion Lutheran Church.

 Dawson, 50, who lived in Spring, Texas, died July 13 after a motorcycle crash near here.

Keloland.com said Dawson was riding his motorcycle northbound on Highway 385 when it left the road and entered a ditch. The motorcycle struck some trees and threw Dawson clear of the crash site. Dawson died at a Rapid City hospital.

Dawson worked as an aircraft mechanic for United Airlines, according to his Facebook page.