Spencer Daily Reporter: Local News: Rider identified in fatal Highway 71 crash

(Photo by Russ Mitchell) Emergency crews closed off one of two southbound lanes along U.S. Highway 71 south of Fostoria following a fatal traffic incident involving a van and a bicyclist Tuesday morning.

The Clay County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the rural Clay County man who died in a Tuesday morning crash involving a van and a bicyclist along Highway 71 north of Spencer.

Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow said 58-year-old Mark Walter Anderson of rural Spencer and a van driven by 21-year-old Cameron Koopman of Brewster, Minn., were both southbound along the four-lane, divided highway when the accident occurred at about 6:13 a.m.

Anderson had turned off county road B17, which is commonly referred to as the Langdon blacktop, and traveled about 100 yards south toward Spencer on Highway 71 when the van struck his bicycle from behind.

"The bike was lawfully where it should be," on the road Krukow said.

Rescue and medical personnel were dispatched and Anderson was declared dead at the scene. Other belongings, including a bicycle helmet and the severely damaged bicycle were found on the shoulder of the highway.

The sheriff's office said it is unclear at this time how fast Koopman was traveling and there is no evidence of evasive action was taken by either Koopman or Anderson.

"We don't know at this time whether he dozed off or just didn't see him, but it was an accident," Krukow said of the van driver.

The white, 2003 Ford van Koopman was driving is registered to Valhalla Painting LLC, of Sioux Falls, S.D.

Koopman voluntarily submitted to a blood draw which will be sent to the Division of Criminal Investigation laboratory in Ankeny for analysis. The investigation is continuing and criminal charges are possible based on the finality of facts surrounding this accident, according to a statement from chief deputy Brad Hawley.

The accident closed off one lane of traffic near the site until about 11:30 a.m. The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Spencer and Spirit Lake Police Departments, Spencer and Fostoria Fire and Rescue Units, Spencer Ambulance, Clay County Attorney's Office and the Clay County Medical Examiner.

It would be great if we had a paved road or bicycle trail leading from Spencer to the the lakes area. Highway 71 is to busy to ride your bike on. Alot of people want to ride to the lakes, but it isn't safe. I feel sad for Mark as his bike was his transportation.

-- Posted by be honest on Wed, Aug 19, 2009, at 6:38 AM

Due to the sensitive nature of this situation, some of the comments were removed from this space. There's no need to try and determine what happened to cause the accident. It's all guessing at this point and some of the comments are hurtful to all parties involved. While we want open discussion on this site, it's important that we do have compassion for the family of both the victim and the driver. This is not the time or the place to try guess what might have happened. Let's leave that to our qualified law enforcement officials.

-- Posted by randy cauthron on Wed, Aug 19, 2009, at 4:31 PM

My sympathies go to all families involved. A man was sent home to God, another man is now living with memories of this accident. I would suggest we pray for all of them involved.

-- Posted by rfjohnson on Fri, Aug 21, 2009, at 7:15 AM

Vehicular manslaughter is the crime of causing the death of a human being due to illegal driving of an automobile, including gross negligence, drunk driving, reckless driving or speeding.

There should be no sympathy for Cameron Koopman. He should be charged with felony vehicular manslaughter.

-- Posted by M.Anderson on Thu, Jan 7, 2010, at 5:34 PM