by Geoff Fox
Last May, a Little Orleans man known widely for his role with the East Coast Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, was struck and killed in Allegany County while riding his motorcycle on Orleans Road.
Kenneth Appel was struck by a pickup driven by Shane Michael Fulmer, 50, of Hagerstown.
This week, Fulmer was set to appear before Judge Michael Twigg in Allegany County Circuit Court — on Tuesday, September 8, according to online court documents.
His trial, with Judge J. S. Getty presiding, is set to start next Wednesday, September 16, at 9 a.m. in Allegany County Circuit Court and run until Friday, September 18.
Fulmer is charged with negligent manslaughter by vehicle, criminally negligent manslaughter by vehicle, homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, and other related citations.
Just before 8 p.m. on May 19, 2025, troopers from the Cumberland Barrack of the Maryland State Police responded to Orleans Road, south of High Germany Road, for a reported two-vehicle crash.
During their preliminary investigation, police said a Ford Ranger pickup, operated by Fulmer, was traveling south when he entered the northbound lanes and struck a Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Kenneth Appel, 66, of Little Orleans.
Appel, who was the founder and host of East Coast Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Little Orleans, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Fulmer was transported by ambulance to UMPC Western Maryland for treatment for his injuries.
