University of Wyoming Professor Killed in Motorcycle Crash

A University of Wyoming professor was killed in a motorcycle crash on Interstate 15 in Nevada on Wednesday.

Gustavo Sbatella, 52, assistant professor in the UW department of plant sciences, died at about 6:54 p.m., just south of the Exit 80 southbound ramp northeast of Las Vegas.

Sbatella was riding a motorcycle southbound on I-15 in heavy rain and hail. The Nevada Highway Patrol says that for unknown reasons, Sbatella applied the brakes and rode into the dirt center median. The motorcycle continued south in the median and overturned and Sbatella fell off of the motorcycle. Medical personnel who responded pronounced Sbatella dead at the scene.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Jason Buratczuk said the crash is under investigation.