CLAYTON COUNTY, Iowa — October 10, 2026. A 34-year-old woman from Colesburg died Saturday night after a motorcycle struck a deer on Garber Road near Kennedy Road in Clayton County, according to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.
Kelley Knockel was riding as a passenger on a motorcycle traveling eastbound with two other motorcycles when a white-tailed deer entered the roadway. The lead motorcycle struck the animal, resulting in a fatal incident.
Deputies responded to the scene at approximately 9:17 p.m. on October 10, authorities reported.
Knockel suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the motorcycle, Joshua Knockel, 42, of Colesburg, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Emplify Health in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
A second motorcycle, operated by Mathew Witham, 58, of Guttenberg, was involved in the incident after its rider attempted to avoid the initial collision and lost control. Witham also suffered serious injuries and was transported to Guttenberg Municipal Hospital for treatment.
The third motorcycle, operated by Nicklas Rosenberger, 33, of Dubuque, with passenger Selena Courtney-Puccio, 39, also of Dubuque, avoided the collision. Neither occupant was reported injured.
The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
