At 9:43 a.m. Feb. 7, Paul M. Coon, 30 of St. Leonard, was operating a 2001 Yamaha YZF600 motorcycle northbound on Route 4 across the Thomas Johnson Bridge in Solomons.
Coon was following a 2003 Ford Taurus driven by George W. Butt, 45 of Mechanicsville, who slowed to avoid hitting other traffic that was attempting to avoid a cardboard box in the roadway.
Coon’s motorcycle struck the left rear bumper of the Ford. Coon was ejected from the motorcycle into the southbound lanes and into the path of a 2006 Toyota Sienna LE van being driven by Courtney L. Stewart, 31 of Lusby.
Stewart’s vehicle struck Coon who was later pronounced dead on the scene shortly after 10 a.m. Coon had been wearing a full face helmet.