Fatal motorcycle collision in the town of Collins

On August 24, 2024, at 12:24 P.M., while on patrol, Troopers out of SP Collins identified a single motorcycle off Zoar Valley Road near Otto Road in the town of Collins. Investigation determined that the 2001 Harley Davidson was traveling east bound on Zoar Valley Road when losing control after running over gravel and ultimately struck a ditch on the north side of the roadway causing the operator, Mark L. Burkholder, 68 of Amherst, NY to be thrown from the motorcycle. Troopers applied life saving measures including CPR and using an AED. Gowanda EMS arrived on scene and continued life saving measures for his head/neck injuries. Burkholder was transported to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital but was ultimately pronounced deceased. Burkholder was transported to the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office for a pending autopsy.