85 mph on a stretch of road marked for its fatal crashes

A 20-year-old Sterling man faces a reckless driving charge after troopers clocked his dirtbike at 85 mph Tuesday night on a stretch of the Sterling Highway designated a safety corridor — a label the state gives roads with higher than average rates of serious and fatal crashes. The limit there is 45.

When troopers moved to stop David Fairbanks near Milepost 84, he kept going, cutting through several gravel roads before returning to the highway and pulling over.

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor carrying up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, and at least a 30-day license suspension. Fairbanks is presumed innocent.