A man riding a motorized scooter in downtown Red Wing collided with a car and died shortly after sunrise Wednesday, a death that adds to the state's mounting motorcycle fatality toll, authorities said.

The crash occurred just before 6 a.m. at Main and Hill Streets, just east of Bay Point Park, according to the State Patrol.

Killed while riding the scooter on Main Street was Michael H. Szymanski, 49, of Red Wing, the patrol said. Szymanski was not wearing a helmet.

The car's driver, Nicholas Sparby, 29, of Red Wing, was not hurt.

The scooter was heading east on Main and collided with the car, which was turning left from northbound Hill onto Main, the patrol said. The car had a stop sign to observe, while the scooter did not.

Because of the engine's size, the scooter was registered as a motorcycle and not as a moped, according to the state Department of Public Safety (DPS). That makes this rider the 13th to die in Minnesota this month and the 34th for the year, with more than half of the victims being at least 45 years old.

There were 19 motorcycle riders killed in July 2006, the deadliest total for that month in Minnesota dating back to 1998.

Of the 29 deaths in which the state has determined helmet use this year, 21 of those killed did not have on a helmet, the DPS said. Although adult riders are not required to wear helmets in Minnesota, the DPS said they should be worn by everyone, along with brightly colored protective gear for improved visibility.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482