A Vass man died Sunday morning while riding a motorcycle on I-95 in the Gaston area, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

A preliminary investigation by Trooper J.J. Lynch shows that Keith Marsh, 56, was traveling south on the interstate near the 176-mile marker when he ran off the roadway to the left.

First Sergeant Lavern Bynum said the motorcycle struck a guardrail and ejected Marsh, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The motorcycle rebounded onto the roadway after impact and veered right before coming to a stop.

Bynum said the crash, which occurred around 8:30 a.m., remains under investigation.

This was the 12th traffic fatality of the year investigated by Troop C, District VIII, he said.