Swiss rock star hit and killed by Bartlett man

The frontman of one of the most successful Swiss rock bands was killed last week when a Bartlett truck driver struck his motorcycle in Nevada, police confirmed.

Edwin Zuk, 27, of Barlett was driving on Interstate 15 about an hour northeast of Las Vegas in a thunderstorm when his semitrailer veered onto the shoulder and struck the group's pack of motorcycles, sending one flying into Stefan Alois Lee, lead singer of Gotthard, police said.

The group of 22 bikers on a trip through the Southwest had pulled over on the side of the road Oct. 5 because one of their Harley Davidsons was experiencing technical problems and to put on rain gear, according to a band statement.

Police said no charges have been filed, but an investigation is ongoing. Neither alcohol nor drugs factored in the crash, police said.

“The kid driving was pretty shook up about it, said Joseph Fackrell of the Nevada Highway Patrol.

The band was on a two-week drive through the United States on Harley Davidsons, a trip described as Lee's lifelong dream, according to the band's statement.

The band, which released 12 albums between 1992 and 2009, had 11 of those 12 albums reach No. 1 on the Swiss top-selling charts.

Lee was the only one injured in the accident.

“One thing is for sure, said Brigitte Voss-Balzerini, Lee's partner. “I have never seen Steve as happy as during these last days.