Motorcyclist, Moped Operator Seriously Hurt in Separate Rochester-Area Crashes

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A motorcyclist and moped operator were seriously injured in two recent Rochester-area crashes. 

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The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office says the motorcycle crash was reported Friday afternoon and the Rochester Police Department says officers responded to the moped crash Saturday evening. Two drivers were also cited as a result of the collisions. 

Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Captain Tim Parkin said the Friday crash was reported around 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of 40th St. and 18th Ave. in rural southwest Rochester. The accident report indicated the motorcyclist was traveling on 40th St. when a van making a left turn from southbound  18th Ave. pulled out in front of it and  caused a collision. 

The motorcyclist, described as a 70-year-old man from Rochester ,was taken from the scene by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital for further care of what are described as serious injuries to his head, arms and legs. The van driver is described as a 26-year-old LeRoy man.  

The Saturday crash was reported around 6:15 p.m. at the intersection of Hwy. 14 and 8th Ave. Southeast. Rochester Police Captain Casey Moilanen said the stoplight at the intersection was flashing red in all directions, which requires vehicles to stop at the intersection and yield to traffic passing through it. 

Moilanen said the moped operator, described as a 37-year-old Rochester woman, had stopped then traveled through the intersection when it was hit by an eastbound sedan, driven by a 26-year-old Austin woman, that had not stopped at the flashing red light. The moped operator was brought to St. Mary’s Hospital with what are being described as possibly serious injuries. 

Law enforcement issued citations to the van driver and sedan driver following the crashes. Alcohol is not suspected of being a factor in either crash. Authorities say both the moped operator and motorcyclists were not wearing helmets.