A motorcycle crash near M-37 and Hubble Street in Hastings took the life of an Army sergeant.

Derek Spidel was reportedly riding south in the outside lane with another motorcyclist who was in the inside lane, according to Hastings police. Spidel was going around a curve when bike hit a curb and he lost control around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Spidel, 29, of Hastings, was wearing an approved Department of Transportation helmet but the Hastings Police Department said he was not licensed as an endorsed motorcycle operator.

Friends of Spidel told 24 Hour News 8 the combat medic enlisted in the Army about five years ago and had just returned home two months ago from a deployment in Afghanistan.