On Friday June 13, 2008 at approximately 12:37 a.m. officers of the Garden City Police Department were dispatched to the 2200 block of Crestway Dr. for an injury accident involving a motorcycle.
When officers arrived they found 20-year-old Rafael Orpeza Jr., of Deerfield, KS, unresponsive. Finney County EMS responded and notified the Finney County Coroner. Orpeza Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation determined that Orpeza was traveling westbound on Crestway Drive when he lost control of his 2006 Suzuki GSXR600 motorcycle. Orpeza crossed to the south side of Crestway Drive and struck the front bumper of a legally parked 1983 Mercury Grand Marquis. Orpeza was not wearing a helmet.
Officers have not determined Orpeza's speed at the time of the crash and there were no initial signs of intoxication. Residents of the area who heard the crash reported the accident.
Officers have not located anyone who actually saw the accident occur.
The Garden City Police Department is requesting anyone with information that might assist with this investigation, please contact the GCPD at (620) 276-1300, or if they wish to remain anonymous they may call Crime Stoppers at (620) 275-7807.