A U.S. soldier stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany, was killed last week in a motorcycle accident after leaving work, the Army announced Monday.

Staff Sgt. Perry L. Dews, 34, a small group leader for Company B, Seventh Army Noncommissioned Academy, was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday along Highway 2168 near Eschenbach.

Though the accident remains under investigation, Gen. B.B. Bell, the USAREUR commanding general, said in his “Bell Sends” message to the troops that the sergeant was not wearing all the required personal protective equipment and clothing.

Dews was riding a Kawasaki ZX9R 900cc motorcycle, according to Maj. Michael W. Durham, a post spokesman, in an e-mail. He continued that Dews successfully completed the USAREUR motorcycle training program and was licensed to operate the bike.

“In addition, the soldier — who had limited motorcycle experience — had recently moved up from a moderately powered bike to a very powerful, 900cc machine,” Bell also said in his message, which was published on the USAREUR Web site Saturday.

Durham said Dews had been riding for about three months and was not wearing full-finger gloves and over-the-ankle footwear at the time of the accident. He was wearing all other required equipment, Durham said.

Dews is survived by his wife, Kristy, and their two daughters, Amanda and Destiny.

A memorial service was held Saturday at Soldiers’ Chapel in Camp Normandy at the Grafenwöhr Training Area.

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