Man who died in motorcycle crash identified as Ike Hendricken
‘Ike cherished his children and grandchildren and had so much pride in their accomplishments’
The man who died in a motorcycle crash on Friday has been identified as John Alexander "Ike" Hendricken of Pisquid, P.E.I.
An obituary from the North Shore Funeral Home described Hendricken as "all heart" and said "the red soil ran true in his veins and encompassed every part of his being.
"Ike also loved his motorcycle. With the wind in his hair and the freedom to ride, he was able to escape the pain and anguish that plagued his soul for so many years," it said.
Above all else, the obituary said, he loved his family.
"Ike cherished his children and grandchildren and had so much pride in their accomplishments. His smile, his laugh and his way of acting out a story will never be forgotten."
Motorcycles asked to ride alongside funeral procession
The funeral will be held at St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church in Mount Stewart, P.E.I., on Wed., July 25 at 3:00 p.m.
"To commemorate the life of our loving father, son, grandfather, sibling and partner we encourage anyone and everyone who has a motorcycle to ride alongside the funeral procession," the obituary said.
"Let's give Ike the send-off he deserves and would have dreamed about."
Crash under investigation
Sgt. Chris Gunn of Kings District RCMP said there were no witnesses to the collision.
"There [were] no weather conditions that would cause the bike to go off the road. And the road conditions at the time, the road was dry and it is a straight stretch."
According to a news release, Hendricken was travelling northbound on Route 4 in Albion Cross, P.E.I., when the motorcycle he was driving left the road and struck a ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
No common factor in 2018 fatalities
RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Baillie said he recently combed over the motor vehicle fatalities to date — 14 this year in P.E.I. — and didn't find one predominant factor.
Medical issues are suspected in at least two of the collisions, while excessive speed, road conditions, driver inattention and alcohol were also factors.
"In at least one fatal crash, insufficient tire tread depth is believed to be a factor, and in another, inadequate reflectors on a trailer that was struck on the road," Baillie said.