A man died Wednesday following a motorcycle crash in Patrick County, according to the Virginia State Police.

Mack Oscar Gentry Jr., 49, of Ricky Mount, was operating a 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling eastbound on Virginia 57, according to Virginia State Trooper J.M. Hylton.

Before reaching the intersection with Pole Bridge Road, the motorcycle allegedly ran off the road, Hylton said. A reflector post was struck, he added.

The rider lost control of the motorcycle. It slid down the eastbound shoulder if the road, the trooper said.

The operator of the motorcycle was ejected from the bike, over a cement bridge and down a 15-foot drop, before coming to rest in a creek, Hylton said.

Gentry was wearing his helmet

The Smith River Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fairystone Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, Hylton said.

Gentry was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained in the crash, according to the trooper.

“There is no indication of what caused” the motorcycle to run off the road, Hylton said of the incident that occurred around 4:35 p.m. Wednesday.

The investigation is continuing.