North Carolina Highway Patrol officials are close to finishing their investigation into a fatal motorcycle wreck last week that claimed the life of an Effingham County minister.

Frankie W. Hodges, 62, died after injuries he received when his motorcycle ran off the road in the western North Carolina mountains on the evening of April 18. Hodges and others were riding south on North Carolina Highway 175. According to Trooper Hal Robertson, Hodges lost control of his motorcycle and ran off the road. He traveled down an embankment and struck a tree. The motorcycle came to rest on its left side. The accident occurred around 9 p.m. that night.

According to reports, Hodges initially was taken to Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee before being airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's edition of the Effingham Herald.