Arenzville man dies in motorcyle accident

An evening motorcycle ride on Virginia-Arenzville Road in Cass County became a fatal accident that killed Gerhard A. Taylor, 43, and severely injured his wife, Laura K. Taylor, 38, both of 121 W. Washington St., Arenzville.

Mr. Taylor was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle west on Virginia-Arenzville Road near the Campbell Road intersection about 5 p.m. Sunday when the vehicle apparently left the north side of the roadway. He reportedly lost control, and both riders were thrown from the bike, Cass County Sheriff Dave Osmer said Wednesday.

Both riders were airlifted to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. There was no sign of helmets, Sheriff Osmer said. The Sheriff’s Department did not reveal that the accident had occurred until Wednesday.

Nobody witnessed the accident, and investigators don’t know yet whether there were any contributing factors, he said.

Deputies located the motorcycle 169 feet from the road on a grass shoulder, the sheriff said.

According to his obituary, Mr. Taylor died Monday at the hospital. A hospital spokeswoman said Wednesday that Mrs. Taylor is listed in critical condition.

Sheriff Osmer said Mr. Taylor apparently got off the road somehow onto the shoulder and was not successful in bringing the bike back onto the roadway.

Road conditions and visibility were clear at the time of the accident, which happened in an area with tight curves and hills, he said.

Also according to Mr. Taylor’s obituary, he was known to be fond of riding his Harley-Davidson.

The sheriff said he was told that the motorcycle involved in Sunday’s crash was a recent purchase, possibly about a week ago, and Mr. Taylor had owned at least one other bike before.