Willard, MO : Man dead after a stolen motorcycle crash on Highway AB in Willard on Tuesday night, November 1, 2016

A man is dead after a stolen motorcycle crashed into an SUV in Willard.

It happened on Highway AB on Tuesday night. Willard Police Corporal Robert Bell says Walnut Grove police contacted him, asking for help pulling over a speeding motorcycle. Bell says Willard Police saw the motorcycle on Highway 160 and tried to pull Casteel over, but he didn’t stop. Bell says Willard Police never chase speeding motorcycles because it’s just too dangerous.

“We don’t like pursuits of any kind, if we can avoid them at all. But motorcycles are a little bit different,” he said.

Police say Casteel turned south onto Highway AB, and collided with a car that was turning left onto the highway. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, Casteel was traveling at an excessive rate of speed.

Bell says while police were investigating the wreck, they found out the motorcycle was reported stolen in Springfield. There was also a warrant out for Casteel’s arrest, he was accused of passing a bad check.
We spoke with Casteel’s family about the wreck.
“He always loved riding on his bike. And then again, I wish he would have never got on the motorcycle because now look,” said Brittany Casteel, Kurtis Casteel’s sister.
She said motorcycles were one of Casteel’s passions, and he didn’t steal the bike that he was riding on the night of the wreck.

“That was a friend’s bike he was just riding on,” she explained.
Court records show Casteel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in 2014, and a theft charge in 2016.
But his family says he wasn’t a criminal.
“He was a very caring, loving, strong guy. He was only 25 years old he has three beautiful babies,” said his sister.

His family says comments on social media about this wreck are adding insult to injury.
“People online are being ruthless, and saying that he deserved what he got,” said Brittany Casteel.
Now, his family is asking for people’s prayers as they work through this tough time. They want their loved one to rest in peace.

“I just wish people would please stop saying heartless stuff on the internet and all this stuff about my brother, because his family is through a lot right now,” said Brittany Casteel.

Source :
Family speaks about man killed in Willard motorcycle wreck