Two dead after motorcycle strikes tractor

Two people died in rural southeastern Minnesota yesterday, when a motorcycle hit a tractor pulling a horse trailer.

The accident occurred at about 3:50 p.m. on County Road 1 in Goodhue County. A motorcycle was traveling southbound on the road when it came upon a tractor pulling a horse trailer that was making a left hand turn into a driveway. The motorcycle was unable to stop and struck the trailer.

The motorcycle driver, Arnold A. Hinrichs, Jr, 51, and a passenger, Paula Ashton, 42, died at the scene. Neither victim was wearing a helmet.

The driver of the tractor, James Kyllo, 54, was not injured.

Twenty-nine motorcyclists have died on Minnesota roads so far this year. Last year, Minnesota saw 72 motorcycle fatalities, the highest number since 1985.

There are about 225,000 registered motorcycles in the state, a record high.

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