Two motorcyclists were killed Thursday in separate accidents on Twin Cities interstate highways.

The Minnesota State Patrol was on the scene late Thursday night investigating the fatal accident that occurred in the northbound lane of Interstate 94 near Dowling Avenue. The patrol identified the victim as Patrick Rix, 42, of Duluth.

According to the patrol, Rix was riding with a group of motorcyclists who were merging onto northbound I-94 at Dowling Avenue in north Minneapolis when he lost control and crashed.

Rix was not wearing a helmet, and it was not known if alcohol played a factor in the crash, the patrol said.

Earlier in the day, Gregory Cox, 55, of Burnsville, was killed when his motorcycle sideswiped another vehicle and then was struck by a third vehicle on northbound Interstate 35W near Burnsville Parkway. The drivers in the two cars were not injured.

The crash occurred about 8:30 a.m.

-- Mary Lynn Smith and Tim Harlow