Public Safety
UPDATE: Two people killed in motorcycle accident near Shellsburg
Posted on Sep 27, 2009 by Spencer Willems.
Byline Benton County Sheriff's deputies and emergency workers investigate the scene of the crash. After throwing its two passengers, the motorcycle slid across the lane, crashing into a car, before coming to rest in a ditch. (Spencer Willems/The Gazette)
The Cedar Rapids residents who died in a motorcycle accident Friday have been identified as Brian J. Lynch and Patricia Groe.
Lynch and Groe, both 44 and both of 90 Cherry Hill Rd. NW, were riding the same motorcycle north on 32nd Avenue about four miles south of Urbana about 5 p.m. Friday when a truck made a left turn from the southbound lane. The motorcycle brakes locked, throwing the bike into a skid.
Lynch and Groe, who were not wearing helmets, were thrown to the pavement. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t indicated which rider was operating the cycle.
The sheriff’s office hasn’t officially identified the couple, but information their families provided to Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home confirmed Lynch and Groe’s identities.
The motorcycle was traveling north on 32nd Avenue about 5 p.m. when a truck traveling south turned left across the road onto 59th Street Trail, causing the motorcycle to lock its brakes and go into a skid, Benton County Sheriff Randall Forsythe said.
The man and woman, who were not wearing helmets, were thrown to the pavement, Forsythe said. They were pronounced dead on the scene by the Benton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The motorcycle slid across the lane and crashed with a car and came to rest in a ditch. The driver of the car was not injured.
The names of the victims were not released pending family notification. It was not known last night who was driving the motorcycle.
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
That time of day the sun could of been a factor in the accident at that location. My sympathy goes out to the familes involved.
grannyof3
26. Sep, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the bike riders, and to all others involved.
Another driver not watching out for bikes !! See it all the time, they think we can stop on a dime !!!
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
Most of the time your right but this time the pickup driver is also a Harley rider.
Barbrady
26. Sep, 2009
Just because he rides a motorcycle doesn't mean he didn't goof and not see the bike. It's usually bikers that watch out for other bikers the closest, but they're still human and capable of the same mistakes.
grannyof3
26. Sep, 2009
sorry to hear that, then he is going to have a harder time trying to get past this !!! Cause he has had the same thing done to him many times !!
thoughts and prayers to the pickup driver, may the angels be with him !
mre0125
26. Sep, 2009
why isnt it ever bikes not watching… I ride i pay attention, never been in a wreck and statistically shoulda/ coulda been me anytime of it. Funny you know nothing but what blood thirsty reporters reported and you know it all right off. And if it has wheels or tracks I probably have drove it so I been in shoulda / coulda situations more than what you think
wildtigger
26. Sep, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the famlies after this tragic accident.
cspackler711
26. Sep, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends as well.
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
The angle of the sun shining into the pickup drivers eyes is the reason for the accident. I have no idea what wearing a helmet would have to do with the cause of the accident.
Solara1
26. Sep, 2009
and you know this how?
ctiger
27. Sep, 2009
The cause of the accident is in the article. So eager to pick an argument, you didn't even read it .
Solara1
27. Sep, 2009
LOL…eager to pick an argument?? Maybe YOU need to read the article because nowhere does it say that the angle of the sun caused the accident.
Hugs4u
27. Sep, 2009
I threw some tea leaves on the table and read them.
Solara1
27. Sep, 2009
Somehow I really can believe that. You seem like the "tea leaf" reading type.
Hugs4u
28. Sep, 2009
You seem to be the type, to believe someone could really do that. Even gave you a plus because of it.
ctiger
26. Sep, 2009
My sympathy to the families and friends.
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
That time of day the sun could of been a factor in the accident at that location. My sympathy goes out to all the familes involved.
Bud_Heavy
26. Sep, 2009
I dont think so. At 5 pm the sun is more west this time of year. Traveling north, if it was actuallly north the sun should not have been a factor. I'm wondering is speed was a factor? 55 mph isnt too bad for coming to a quick stop on a bike.
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
The pickup headed south that turned in front of himwould of had the sun right in his eyes there
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
If you headed south right there you are headed southwest in that location
Bud_Heavy
26. Sep, 2009
It says the bike was headed north?
mre0125
26. Sep, 2009
Roads have curves and adjustments that dont allow to follow N/S routes exactly, and on my Road in front of my house, it does just that
mommyinmarion
26. Sep, 2009
OK first of all.. Have you ever ridden on a bike with a helmet on? They hinder your peripheral vision, you can not fully see all your surroundings, and there is NO GUARANTEE THAT A HELMET WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. There are lots of accidents that the sun happens to be a big factor is cause of accident. I do not wear a helmet when I ride, they are heavy and put tons of strain on my neck and back. My friends brother was wearing a helmet, full protective gear and he still died.
My heart goes out to the families of the incident. This could happen to anyone at anytime. All people need to pay more attention and be cautious. It is a danger no matter where you go anymore whether you are in a car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle.
God will never take you unless it is your time.
Prayers to the families and the driver of the pickup.
scott_foens
26. Sep, 2009
Specifically what helmet hinders your peripheral vision? I wear Icon's Alliance SSR Solid which is a full face helmet and it has no impact on my peripheral vision at all. Half and three quarters helmets also do not impact peripheral vision in any manner.
You are absolutely correct that wearing a helmet is no guarantee, just as seat belts are no guarantee. However, a DOT approved Snell tested helmet improves, not only your odds of surviving, but of surviving and keeping all of your mental capabilities. Some motorcycle fatalities are the direct result of not wearing a helmet. There have been none, that I know of, that resulted from wearing a helmet.
You certainly have the right to not wear a helmet. So long as you are willing to pay for your own health care in the event of a traumatic brain injury due to the choice to not wear a helmet.
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
Helmets are like seat belts, it should be a personal choice..
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
Helmets are like seat belts, it should be a personal choice, except for children.
Hugs4u
26. Sep, 2009
Helmets are like seat belts, it should be a personal choice.
PDT
26. Sep, 2009
I don't care one way or another if you wear a helmet as long as you have paid up long term care insurance and life insurance to pay for your survivors so the tax payers don't get saddled with the costs. The way bikers are getting killed by deer, cars turning in front of them etc, it won't be long before Iowa joins most other states and passes a helmet law. It might take the threat of losing road money from the Feds, but I bet within 5 years there is a helmet law in Iowa.
mre0125
28. Sep, 2009
it always has that threat, and they did take it away years back, the only and only reason Iowa does not have one is because ABATE is paying better than the Feds.
sabs21
28. Sep, 2009
That is where you are wrong because i know 2 people that personally died with helmets on, so do not give me your bull. It is not a law, it is choice.
ageee with this person
26. Sep, 2009
yes i agree totally with this person… you decide to ride a motorcycle you wear a helment…just common since. the wind may feel great thru you hair and everything but.. use common sense.. my heart goes out to the families that lost there members…
Ann_Onamouse
26. Sep, 2009
44 is much too young, prayers to family and any children that may be left behind…too sad..
Venetia
26. Sep, 2009
My condolences and prayers to all concerned for tragedy.
mandy
26. Sep, 2009
I’ve been around Harley’s the full 24 years of my life…and have lost a few loved ones due to motorcycle accidents and I’ll tell you right now, helmet or not, these two people had no chance…it makes me SO mad when people try to play the “no helmet” card…I’ve seen people die with helmets and survive without! When it’s your time, it’s your time!
NiRiON
26. Sep, 2009
I agree with mommyinmarion.
The news reporters are only doing their job – sometimes without all the details they have to fill in those gaps with what they know at that given moment. Sometimes, the news reporters will continue the story after they are given the facts, after more investigations.
I guess when the law says to wear a helmet you need to. I feel they added that because it was a law broken, and for any one else to read, in what could happen to them if they are not wearing a helmet – probably meant for careless adolescents.
I send my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I hope these comments are not too harming for you.
grannyof3
26. Sep, 2009
sorry but you are wrong, there is NO helmet law in Iowa !! It is personal choice, we do not wear helmets for the fact you cannot hear or see anything, we have half helments those are too bad, but still hard on the neck and back with wind resistance. IT IS OUR CHOICE…whether we wear them or not.
I personally think that in wearing a helment, ;you might not get a more serious injury but you might also be brain dead, and who wants to live like that, if it is your time, then it is your time..
God bless our brother and sister bike riders, our thoughts and prayers are with you, your families, and friends. You died doing what you loved !!! How can we ask for more than that ???
jjhavlik
27. Sep, 2009
Thank you everyone, I am the newphew of the male rider who died and live in Oklahoma, he will be greatly missed and I appreciate everyone's condolences and prayers. Through this we are trying to remember the good times instead of tragedy this has brought our family. He was my best friend and best man at my wedding, i love and miss him dearly. I could have never imagined losing someone so abrupt and with still a full life ahead of him. We appreciate all of your support and wish no one would ever have to go through what has came to pass. My thoughts go out to the female rider's family and offer any support I have left to get thru this with them. Please everyone, life is to short to put blame on any individual, i would love to be angry but we can never predict what someone will do or what we will do especially on the open road. This could happen to anyone of us at any moment. I do not want waste time with anger, just push forward through the pain our family feels, both will always be in our hearts and never be forgotten. I love them.
JH
TCA
26. Sep, 2009
I agree with no one and just give my condolences to the families involved. Had a friend from work killed out there last year pulling into his families home when he was struck from behind by a non-licensed driver. Tore the whole building apart. I feel for them.
jjhavlik
27. Sep, 2009
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. He will be missed by our family dearly.
My thoughts go out to the female rider's family and offer any support to them as well.
Onmymind
27. Sep, 2009
This is all too common, unfortunately — automobile driver makes a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle because they did not pay careful enough attention. The lack of helmets may or may not have been an issue with the cause of death, but either way, there would have been no issue had the driver of the truck had REALLY looked before turning.
ctiger
27. Sep, 2009
Your comments are inappropriate and indicate that you have lost a few petals.
hawkize
27. Sep, 2009
lost three friends in bike accidents in the 70s. none would have been saved by a helmet. one rear ended a truck that inexplicably stopped in front of him, another was hit head on on the airport road when a drunk driver crossed the center lane and another, well, we'll never know. single vehicle accident late at night on a rural Benton county blacktop. might have swerved or braked to miss a deer or other animal and lost control.
condolances to the families.
sabs21
28. Sep, 2009
You know what. You are another one of those judgmental people. Why are you guys always stuck on the fact that a motorcycle rider was not wearing a helmet? I am so sick of hearing that crap. My brother was killed on a motorcycle doing what he loved to do and he was not wearing a helmet. It is not a law, so do not be judgmental about it. According to the doctor that worked on him it is likely that with a helmet on he would have either been a vegetable, paralized for the rest of his life or he could have still died, so do not make an issue about the helmets. They do not always save lives and him not wearing one does not make him a monster and you should make it that way. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families in this time of great sadness.
jjhavlik
28. Sep, 2009
Thank you everyone, I am the newphew of the Brian Lynch who died and I live in Oklahoma, he will be greatly missed and I appreciate everyone's condolences and prayers. Through this we are trying to remember the good times instead of tragedy this has brought our family. He was my best friend and best man at my wedding, i love and miss him dearly. I could have never imagined losing someone so abrupt and with still a full life ahead of him. We appreciate all of your support and wish no one would ever have to go through what has came to pass. My thoughts go out to the female rider's family and offer any support I have left to get thru this with them. Please everyone, life is to short to put blame on any individual, i would love to be angry but we can never predict what someone will do or what we will do especially on the open road. Please refrain from making any negative comments toward anyone on this subject. It's not any good for anyone. This could happen to anyone of us at any moment. I do not want waste time with anger, just push forward through the pain our family feels, both will always be in our hearts and never be forgotten. I love them.
JH
ctiger
28. Sep, 2009
Please accept my condolences. I am sorry this tragedy happened.
patgroe
10. Nov, 2009
I also want to thank everyone for their comments. Trish was my wife. Just finding out about her passing has devastated me. We shared a lot of good times. I will always love and cherish the time I was with Trish. She was a wonderful person, always upbeat and friendly. I still miss her dearly.
I also want to send my condolences to Brian's family. Although he has always been the guy that took my wife. I have learned through the memorial posts that I have read, that they loved each other dearly and were made for each other. I now feel Brian would have been someone that I would have been proud to know. I know Trish was happy and that is all I wanted for her.
PG