The South Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the motorcyclist who died following a crash near Lead as 42-year-old John M. Walz of Lennox.
The incident occurred on Saturday, June 21, along U.S. Highway 385, approximately one mile south of Lead near mile marker 121. According to a preliminary investigation, Walz was riding a 2003 Victory Vegas motorcycle northbound when he failed to navigate a curve in the road. He was ejected from the motorcycle as a result of the crash.
Walz was airlifted to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and passed away from those injuries on Wednesday, June 25. Authorities noted that he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
The crash remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, The Spearfish Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of North Avenue and Ryan Road in Spearfish on Friday morning around 7:50am.
According to witness accounts, a 2005 Dodge Caravan minivan was heading south on North Avenue when it turned east onto Ryan Road, crossing into the path of a northbound 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor motorcycle. The motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the minivan.
The motorcycle operator, a 51-year-old man from Spearfish, was wearing a protective helmet at the time of the crash. He sustained injuries and was transported to Monument Health Rapid City Hospital. The minivan’s driver, identified as 35-year-old Andrew Weishaar of Belle Fourche, was uninjured and subsequently arrested for driving under the influence.
The crash remains under investigation. Responding agencies included Spearfish Emergency Ambulance Service, Spearfish Fire Department, Spearfish Public Works Department, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Comments