(Ankeny & Hazelton, Iowa) – Two Iowans died during accidents in separate parts of the State, Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol reports 48-year-old William Kirkman, of Slater, was struck and killed by a semi in Story County, at around 2:19-a.m., Saturday. Authorities say Kirkman exited his vehicle and entered I-35 near mile marker 101, and was hit by a 2022 Freightliner semi, driven by 61-year-old Barbara Benson, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Kirkman died at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement personnel, Story County Sheriff’s Office, Huxley Police and Ankeny EMS.

And, at around 5:52-p.m. Saturday, in Buchanan County, a motorcycle accident near Hazelton claimed the life of a man, and resulted in injuries to his passenger. The State Patrol says the operator of a 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle, 50-year-old Bradley Lee Johnson, of Hazelton, was traveling east on C-57, when the cycle went out of control for reasons unknown.

The machine entered the south shoulder and came to rest. Johnson, and his passenger, 46-year-old Sara Jean Johnson, also of Hazelton, were ejected and came to rest in the south ditch. Bradley Johnson died at the scene. Sara Johnson was transported by St. Luke’s Lifeguard helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospital.

The accident remains under investigation. Assisting the Patrol at the scene was: The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. and MercyOne Oelwein Ambulance.