Authorities identify central Minnesota motorcyclist killed after hitting a hay bale that fell off trailer

The State Patrol is investigating whether to seek charges against the pickup truck driver who lost three hay bales on the highway.

August 21, 2019 at 2:43AM
Myles S. McGrath Credit: Facebook
Myles S. McGrath Credit: Facebook (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Authorities have identified the central Minnesota motorcyclist who died after striking a hay bale that fell off a trailer ahead of him.

Myles S. McGrath, 64, was riding his three-wheel motorcycle on Hwy. 25 about 10 miles north of his home in Pierz late Thursday afternoon when he hit one of the three bales, according to the State Patrol.

McGrath was taken by air ambulance to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale and was declared dead two hours later.

Roger A. Lanners, 57, of nearby Royalton, was driving the pickup truck pulling the trailer on southbound Hwy. 25. He was not hurt, the patrol said.

The crash remains under investigation, and charges are possible against Lanners.

In 2015, a southeastern Minnesota trucker lost one of many hay bales from his semitrailer truck northeast of Houston. It hit a pickup truck heading the other way and killed a couple in that vehicle. Randall C. Hongerholt, of Houston, pleaded guilty to careless driving, served a year's probation and was fined $375.

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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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