Iowa Motorcycle Collisions, Causes and Injuries

While wearing a helmet remains a personal choice in Iowa you should do so knowing the risks and how motorcycle accidents are occurring. The cause of motorcycle accidents is more than just two vehicle collisions caused by a driver not paying attention or looking for motorcycles. Animals, like deer are a leading cause of wrecks that cause a loss of control by the motorcycle driver. Be aware and protect yourself by wearing a helmet.

Brian Hetrick, 29, Stronghurst, Ill – Killed. No helmet. Swerved to miss a raccoon and had been drinking although not over the limit.

Nicolas Bitner, 20, Central City, Iowa. Killed. No helmet. Lost control at Jordans Grove Road and landed in the ditch. Suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to the University Hospitals in Iowa City.

Polk County Accident – driver not yet known was seriously injured when his motorcyclist struck a guardrail in Polk County, Iowa.  Speed is believed to be a factor.

Jerry Alan Andresen, 41, of Maquoketa. Killed. Wearing a helmet. Intersection collision with motorcyclist turning left. At 4:06 Am Saturday August 16th 2008, the black Kawasaki Motorcycle was travelling South on Welcome Way (U.S. 61 South) in the center lane approaching intersection with 53rd St. The involved light blue Mercury Grand Marquis, operated by Robert Hartz, was travelling west bound on 53rd St in the center lane approaching this same intersection. The vehicles both entered the intersection near the same time and the motorcycle impacted the side of the westbound vehicle. The motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycle at impact. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage as a result of the crash. It is believed that alcohol may have been involved in the crash, which remains under investigation by members of the Davenport Police Departments Crash Investigation Unit. No indication in the reported story who was at fault or had the right of way. The Quad-City Times reports police investigation concludes or suspects that someone ran a red light.

St. Paul Accident -  Killed. Traffic on I-94 came to an abrupt halt causing the motorcycle driver to swerve into the break down lane. Another driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee also swerved onto the shoulder and struck the motorcyclist, which resulted in the motorcycle driver’s death.

Miguel Cervantes, 38, hospitalized and in serious condition. Mason City, Iowa. Time was 1:15 PM at the intersection of State Highway 18 and B-20. Intersection collision where the driver of the car appears to have not seen the motorcyclist, then did, stopped before entering the intersection, but causing the motorcyclist to attempt avoiding an anticipated collision, losing control and flying off the motorcycle.

Donald Wilhite, 64, Waterloo, Iowa. Serious injury including a head injury. No helmet. Report is that Wilhite was driving north on Washington Street in the 1100 block when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed.  

Frank Snyder, 48, Stanton, Iowa. Killed. No  helmet. Attempting to pass a vehicle and crashed into a 1995 Dodge Intrepid on U.S. Highway 34 two miles east of Red Oak.

Ottumwa, Iowa, driver unknown. Motorcycle with a side car and a white sedan. Serious injuries being investigated by the Iowa State Patrol.

James C. Rich, 61, Newhall, Iowa. Killed.  Lost control of the bike while negotiating a curve causing the bike to roll. Accident occurred on 27^th Avenue around 11:30 A.M. near 70^th Street, Newell.

Penny Hurlburt, 46, Camanche, Iowa. Serious injuries. Around 6:00 P.M. a deer darted out into her path causing her to brake. A motorcyclist behind her driven by Dale Hardison, 59 or Delmar, hit her motorcycle and was thrown to the pavement. Both were transported the Jackson County Regional Hospital.

James Miller, 46, Des Moines, Iowa. Killed. Unknown if a helmet were worn. It’s reported that while driving a scooter Miller was struck by a Chevy Caprice that was attempting to get away after colliding with a van. Driver of Caprice is charged with vehicular homicide.

Brian Beck, 30, Spencer, Iowa. Killed. Rear ended by a black SUV on Highway 18 at 7:16 P.M. The black SUV left the scene. The driver was later located and arrested for driving while under the influence, improper passing along with vehicular homicide. A passenger on the motorcycle, Krystal Plagman, 19, of Marathon, Iowa was also transported to the hospital, both in serious condition. Reportedly a spokeswoman at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls reported Beck was in critical condition. No report on helmet use.

Kenny G. Deboer, 23, Little Rock, Iowa. “Nonincapacitating injuries” and taken to Sanford Sheldon Hospital after crashing his motorcycle. The Argus Leader reports, “Deboer was driving west on a 2007 motorcycle on County Road B-14 after turning off County Road L-40 seven miles northwest of Sanborn when he lost control at 12:20 a.m. Sunday. The motorcycle slid on its side, across the center line and entered the south ditch. Deboer was thrown from the motorcycle and landed on the road. He told a trooper he thought a deer was on the road.”

Addison motorcyclist, identity unknown, killed, died at the scene of a collision after an alleged altercation ensued following a crash with another vehicle. An SUV was reported to be seen fleeing the location.  Reported in the Daily Herald.

William Koenig, reported by the Austin Post-Bulletin, lost control of motorcycle, critical condition. Story details no longer online.

Brian Foreman, 37, Coralville, Iowa. Killed.  Intersection collision at Mormon Trek and Rohret Road at 9:15 P.M. GazetteOnline.com reports the following, “The investigation, to date, has determined that a passenger vehicle attempted to make a left turn onto Rohret Road and collided with Foreman's motorcycle. Both driver has a green light, police said.”

David Junkins, 70, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Injured.

Motorcyclist from Sioux Falls near Mitchell went out of control after encountering a load of gravel that fell from a truck on Interstate 90 near Mitchell.

James Charles Rich, 61, Newhall, Iowa killed. 2006 Kawk motorcycle rolled after losing control on a curve while driving north on 27^th Avenue near the 70^th Street curve.