A Lawrence County man was killed in a single vehicle accidentWednesday night when his motorcycle left the highway and flipped,authorities said.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Sgt. Rusty Boyd said Gordon BentonWard, 61, of Silver Creek, was killed shortly after 6:30 p.m. whenhis 2005 Yamaha motorcycle veered off the right side of theeastbound lane of Highway 184 at the Arm Road intersection.

Boyd said Ward was wearing a helmet when the accident occurred. Thecause of Ward’s accident is unknown, Boyd said, and remains underinvestigation by MHP.

Lawrence County Coroner Sidney Fortenberry said the exact cause ofdeath has not yet been determined. He said Ward’s body isundergoing an autopsy at the office of the state medical examinerand should be released Thursday night or Friday morning to Wilson’sFuneral Home in Monticello, where funeral arrangements arepending.