Four motorcyclist fatalities in three days on Iowa roadways offer a sobering reminder of the importance to all motorists of using caution during the busy summer driving season and brings home the importance of helmets to motorcyclist survival.
John C. Harvey, 63, of Manor, Pa., was killed Wednesday, Aug. 8 about 5:45 p.m. as he and fellow motorcyclist Raymond W. Mitchell Jr., 72, of Youngstown, Pa., were traveling eastbound on U.S. Interstate 80 at 250 mile marker near Iowa City.
Harvey and Mitchell were riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles and “started slowing for stopped traffic ahead due to a previous accident,” according to a report from the Iowa State Patrol (ISP).
A Peterbilt semi-tractor trailer, driven by Bobby H. Stephen, 61, of Janesville, Wis., “was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of both” Harvey and Mitchell’s vehicles. All three vehicles came to rest in the south ditch of U.S. Interstate 80.
Harvey died at the scene. Mitchell and Stephen were transported with injuries by the Johnson County EMS.
The accident remains under investigation, the ISP said.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s office also responded.
At about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, Donald Daniel, 46, of Scranton died when the Harley Davidson motorcycle he was driving westbound on County Road E53 near Jefferson collided with a GMC Terrain traveling northbound on County Road P14 and driven by Emily Perrien, 28, of Coon Rapids.
The ISP was assisted by the Greene County Sheriff’s office, Jefferson Police Department, Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department, Iowa Department of Transportation Vehicle Enforcement and the Greene County EMS.
Matthew Allan Babcock, 42, and Jamie Lynn Babcock, 43, both of Olivet, Mich., were traveling eastbound on U.S. Interstate 80 at the 109 mile marker near De Soto about 7:45 p.m. Saturday when the rear tire of their Harley Davidson “blew,” and the “driver lost control,” according to the ISP report.
Matthew Babcock “suffered fatal injuries,” and Jamie Babcock was transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center with injuries. The ISP report noted that “neither one was wearing a helmet.”
The Dallas County Sheriff’s office and Waukee Rescue also responded.
Justin Smith, 45, of Brooklyn died late Saturday night and Christine Carson, 40, of Oskaloosa was injured when the Harley Davidson motorcycle they were on “failed to make a curve” on the eastbound lane of U.S. Highway 6 near Newton.
The vehicle “struck a mailbox before vaulting off a driveway,” according to the ISP report. “Speed and alcohol are likely factors,” it said.
The 11 p.m. accident remains under investigation, according to the ISP.
The ISP was assisted by the Jasper County Sheriff’s office, the Kellogg Volunteer Fire Department and the Newton Fire and Rescue.
Lets bring out BIG BROTHER to save me from myself again. My bike riding days would be over if I was forced to wear a helmet. I love following rules that a few people sit and vote on and make then enforce with fines that they scam or jail time. Welcome to the United States. Land of the free . . .