1 killed, 1 critically injured in series of motorcycle crashes Saturday
File photo
(FOX 9) - One man died and several others were injured in what became a dangerous day for Minnesota motorcyclists.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday, a motorcyclist was heading south on Highway 61 in Maplewood, approaching a red light at County Road B. Traffic was stopped, so the motorcyclist braked and lost control, ejecting him. He died at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet.
The motorcyclist was identified as 68-year-old Donald Raymond Norquist of St. Paul.
Earlier that day, a Chicago woman was injured when she lost control while riding her motorcycle in Rushford, Minn.
Authorities say the woman was attempting a low speed left turn to go west on Highway 16, but, due to a diesel fuel spill in the intersection, she lost control of her Harley-Davidson and slid. She was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Then, at about 7:38 p.m., three people were injured in a motorcycle crash in East Bethel, Minn.
Officials say two motorcyclists were traveling north on Highway 65 just north of Klondike Drive in East Bethel. One was traveling in the right lane, and the other was in the left lane. One of the motorcyclists switched from the right lane to the left lane where both bikes collided, causing all riders to be thrown from their bikes and onto the road.
One driver and his passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries. The other motorcyclist, a 45-year-old Coon Rapids man, remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
According to state patrol, alcohol was a factor in the crash, and no one was wearing a helmet.