Police suspect alcohol to blame for motocycle accident

Police say alcohol probably played a role in a motorcycle accident that sent its rider to the hospital.

The accident occurred at the intersection of 12th Avenue and 9th Street SE at around 8 p.m. Wednesday night. The motorcyclist was headed east on 12th Avenue when he crossed the center lane and slid his bike into the front of an oncoming van.

The van did not drive over the motorcyclist, but the man was wedged under the bumper until emergency services arrived.

Officials said the motorcyclist probably wasn't wearing a helmet, and he was lucky his injuries only appeared to be some “scrapes and bruises.” The driver of the van was uninjured.

Police said the motorcyclist was moving when they arrived but was not speaking. He was “not awake… but alive and well.” Police believe alcohol was probably involved in the crash.

The motorcycle caught on fire when emergency responders were on scene, and Cedar Rapids firefighters easily put out the blaze.