[UPDATED] Crash with tractor kills Clive bicyclist outside of Ames

Sun October 24 2004
Posted Oct 24, 2004
8,284

Updated Tues Oct 26th 2004 6:15 am

Visitation for Dan Wisnousky will be Tuesday evening, 4 to 8 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona

By Lucas Grundmeier October 23 2004 Daily Staff Writer A bicyclist died on a windy Saturday (Oct 23rd 2004) afternoon when a tractor pulling two loaded corn bins struck him on a rural road just outside of Ames.

The man, who wasn't immediately identified, was dead when emergency officials arrived. Story County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald said the man was riding with a group of other bicyclists northbound on 580th Avenue, also known as county road R70. Less than a mile south of U.S. Highway 30, the tractor, also traveling northbound, passed the bicycles. How the collision happened from that point wasn't clear, Fitzgerald said. "We're still piecing together exactly what happened," he said. The victim was the only bicyclist involved in the accident, Fitzgerald said. The rest of the group -- which included family members and others -- saw the accident take place, as did another driver. Fitzgerald said he was confident investigators would be able to determine more definitively the cause of the accident. He said he wasn't sure what role, if any, winds that gusted to nearly 40 mph Saturday played in the accident. The man's bicycle was almost completely unharmed by the wreck, which happened just before 3 p.m. Only the chain mechanism seemed damaged on the red, white and blue bicycle. Fitzgerald said it was important for everybody using roads to be extra cautious during this time of year. Tractors, in particular, have many blind spots that could make it difficult for their operators to see other road users. "You're going to have slow-moving vehicles out on the roadway," he said. "It's fall harvest season."

More information - Thanks for the update Jamie Dan Wisnousky, age 37, of team Tall Dogs was the cyclist who was killed today on his bike outside of Ames. We don't know the full details at this time but he was biking with his bike club along side his brother-in-law when he was hit by a truck pulling a grain trailer. Plans are in the works to set-up a fund for his wife and newborn son. Details to come. Our prayers are with his family. Jamie

Source: http://www.iowastatedaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/10/23/417ae8fa621f6