Man who died in motorcycle race at state fair identified

MONROE — A motorcyclist who died while competing in a drag race Monday afternoon at the Evergreen State Fair has been identified as a Bothell man.

Edward A. Ritter II, 42, died from injuries to his head and body, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner reported.

Ritter was riding in the Evergreen Drags at the Evergreen Speedway, the grandstand race track at the fairgrounds, around noon on the final day of the fair when his motorcycle hit a parked bus.

Initial reports are that the motorcycle was new to the rider and he overshot the track, according to Shari Ireton, spokeswoman for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. He was wearing a helmet.

Investigators believe he was going about 97 mph when he hit the bus, which was one of several vehicles parked at the track for other events such as the demolition derby. No one was in the bus.