Ultimately, a sad deal: https://trib.com/news/local/casper/caspe ... 70b7b.html
This is one of those deals where the headline sounds like an eye-roller, and then you're reminded of the real people involved. My heart goes out to his family....

I'm imagining, perhaps inccorectly, as a new bike owner he may have rode the high side and perhaps over the line and panicked?

The saddest part if this story is that it made it into the paper... If the guy fell in his tub at home it wouldn't be print worthy - but because they can sensationalize it & make some BS point about him being a new rider or only 3 miles the paper is all over it.
My condolences to the family - fate is what it is. I'd like to think like his son does - that he had a big assed smile and he went out with his boots on.