Paul Eugene McKinney, 77, of Mount Ayr died after an accident 6:46 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of 165th Street and Highway 169.
According to a Union County Sheriff report, McKinney, driving a 2017 Harley-Davidson south on Highway 169, began gradually veering to the right across the shoulder and into the west ditch. The vehicle continued down the ditch, traveling through an evergreen tree approximately 6 inches in diameter, and continued through a barb-wire fence into a hay field. The vehicle then came to rest on its side facing northwest.
McKinney was not wearing a helmet and driving distractions are currently unknown.
Damage estimate is $35,000 to McKinney’s vehicle and $500 to the fence owned by Jerry Abel of Creston.
Mary Elaine Williamson, 70, of Mount Ayr, a passenger of McKinney’s motorcycle, was injured during the accident and transported by air ambulance to a Des Moines hospital, where her condition is currently unknown.
Williamson was wearing a helmet.
McKinney died at the scene and was transported by ground ambulance to Greater Regional Medical Center.