GATES – A motorcycle accident here Sunday has brought to light a larger issue.

That problem is motor vehicle racing in the area, according to First Sgt. K. P. Pitts with the North Carolina Highway Patrol’s Troop A District II (Bertie, Hertford and Gates counties).

Joseph Jasidri Wright, 36, of Newsome Grove Road in Ahoskie, was allegedly racing his motorcycle with others at a high rate of speed on the Bynum Road when he wrecked and was seriously injured.

Wright, driving his 2004 Honda motorcycle, apparently ran off the road, then struck a ditch and a culvert. He overturned and was ejected off the vehicle.

Wright was seriously injured and had to be airlifted to Norfolk General Hospital via Nightingale, according to Pitts.

&uot;Speed was definitely involved,&uot; Pitts confirmed.

&uot;This incident came out of a motorcycle race that was occurring on the Bynum Road in Gates County,&uot; he added.

Pitts continued, &uot;We have had a problem with racing in various areas of the county, including motorcycles, four-wheelers and cars. It has been an ongoing investigation we have been working on, gathering evidence through surveillance.&uot;

The race, which culminated in Wright’s accident, occurred just after 5 p.m. Sunday.

Pitts says his department is determined to stop the racing to keep similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Charges against Wright are pending.