(Cass Co.) Three motorcycles were involved in an accident Thursday morning near the intersection of White Pole Road (Highway 6) and Memphis Road in Cass County.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies and medical responders were called to the area at approximately 8:05 a.m. for an accident involving two motorcycles. About four minutes later, a third motorcycle lost control and was also involved.
First responders found two motorcycles in the west ditch near the intersection, while the third motorcycle was located farther south on the east shoulder of White Pole Road.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, all three motorcycles encountered a section of roadway covered with mud, manure or other field debris. Recent and continued rainfall caused the debris to become extremely slick, resulting in the motorcycles losing traction and control. The riders laid the motorcycles down on the roadway, where they slid to their final resting locations.
The first motorcycle, a 2023 BMW, was operated by Jerry Gilbert of Tucson, Arizona. The second, a 2021 BMW, was operated by Neil Hejny of Oro Valley, Arizona. The third motorcycle, a 2017 Yamaha, was operated by Heather Christensen of Oakland, Iowa.
Gilbert was transported by Cass EMS to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Hejny and Christensen were evaluated by medical personnel but declined further medical treatment.
All three motorcycles sustained significant, disabling damage, although the total amount of damage was not immediately known.
The Iowa Department of Transportation was called to assist with removing the slick debris from the roadway. The Atlantic Fire Department also used high-pressure water to remove additional debris that had accumulated on the roadway.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Cass EMS, Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Lewis Rescue, the Atlantic Police Department and the Iowa DOT.
