Motorcyclist killed in Minnetonka crash was from Hopkins

The crash happened Tuesday morning on the ramp from southbound I-494 to eastbound Hwy. 7.

April 29, 2020 at 11:53AM
Police responded to a fatal motorcycle crash Tuesday at I-494 and Hwy. 7 in Minnetonka.
Police responded to a fatal motorcycle crash Tuesday at I-494 and Hwy. 7 in Minnetonka. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The motorcyclist killed in a crash Tuesday in Minnetonka has been identified as James Mark Smith.

Smith, 61, lost control of his 2001 Suzuki motorcycle as he exiting from southbound I-494 to eastbound Hwy. 7 and ran off the road about 6:50 a.m., the State Patrol said.

Smith, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected and landed in a ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the patrol said.

The ramp was closed for about three hours as authorities investigated the crash.

about the writer

about the writer

Tim Harlow

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Tim Harlow covers traffic and transportation issues in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and likes to get out of the office, even during rush hour. He also covers the suburbs in northern Hennepin and all of Anoka counties, plus breaking news and weather.

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