Separate motorcycle accidents leave two dead in Corridor

MARION - Two people died in separate motorcycle crashes Friday and Saturday in the Corridor.

On Friday afternoon, Iowa City police said Jonathan Allen Hintz, 28, of Coralville crashed his motorcycle shortly before 5 p.m. in the 600 block of Highway 6 West, near the entrance of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. No other vehicles were involved. Police said Hintz was the only passenger and was wearing a helmet.  He was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where he died.

Police said they were continuing to investigate and had no further details as to why or how the crash occurred.

Meanwhile, about 4:15 p.m. Saturday, a man was killed and a woman was severely injured in a motorcycle crash in Marion.

Marion Police Chief Harry Daugherty said three motorcycles were traveling northbound on Highway 13 when a green SUV heading west from Hennessey Parkway struck one of the motorcycles.

The male driver of the motorcycle died in the crash, and his female passenger suffered head and internal injuries, Daugherty said. Their names were being withheld, but the driver was a local resident, Daugherty said. Daugherty said the man was taken to Mercy Medical Center and the woman was taken to an unidentified local hospital.

The 18-year-old driver of the SUV was also taken to Mercy Medical Center complaining of dizziness, Daugherty said.

Lynn Chrzan, wife of the owner of Woods to Wedges driving range at the intersection where the crash occurred, said she and her husband have seen at least four accidents occur at the intersection since June.

According to Chrzan, cars “whip around” the corner often.

Daugherty said the investigation is ongoing, and investigators are working to determine how the crash occurred.

The motorcycle crashes occurred a little less than a week after two people died in a motorcycle crash in Cedar Rapids.

Courtney Jenkins, 27, of Cedar Rapids, and Christine Shroyer, 32, of North Liberty, died about 11:20 p.m. March 17 after they struck the curb before slamming into a heavy concrete planter on 16th Avenue SW. Police are still investigating but have said speed appears to have been a factor in the crash.

The Iowa Department of Transportation on Wednesday sent out a news release that said warmer weather has increased motorcycle traffic on the state's highways earlier than normal. It said such traffic increases the risk of crashes and fatalities.

According to the department, motorcycle fatalities hit a low in 2011, with 35 fatalities compared to 60 in 2010 and 49 in 2009.

However, Toni Kerkove, Iowa DOT motorcycle safety coordinator, said in the release that improved statistics does not mean drivers should let down their guard.

“Early in the season, motorcyclists are dusting off their riding skills and other motorists are not always looking out for motorcycles on the highway. This can be a deadly combination,” Kerkove said.