July 18, 2026 6:00 p.m. 

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crash that occurred on Roberts Creek Road in the Green District.

On Thursday, at approximately 6:00 p.m., deputies received a report from a woman who said her son, 24-year-old Michael Whitlock of Roseburg, was missing and had failed to report for work for two days.

Undersheriff Brad O’Dell said during the investigation into Whitlock’s whereabouts, deputies located him deceased in the 8700 block of Roberts Creek Road shortly after 8:00 p.m.

O’Dell said the investigation determined Whitlock had been operating a 2025 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle eastbound on Roberts Creek Road after traveling from Gateway Road. Evidence at the scene indicated the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway, traveling approximately 50 yards from the roadway.

O’Dell said Whitlock was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Central Douglas Fire & Rescue.