(Spencer)– An early morning collision involving a vehicle and a bicycle on Highway 71 north of Spencer has left a rural Clay county man dead.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called shortly after 6:00 a.m. this (Tuesday) morning to a report of a man in a ditch that was reported to have been struck by a vehicle.
Upon arriving a deputy found 58-year-old Mark Anderson of rural Spencer lying in the west ditch, along with a white 2003 Ford van owned by Valhala Painting, LLC of Sioux Falls, and its driver, 21-year-old Cameron Koopman of Brewster, Minnesota.
Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation indicates Anderson was riding his bicycle southbound on Highway 71 and Koopman, who was also southbound, failed to see Anderson, striking him from behind.
Deputies say it’s unclear how fast Koopman was traveling and there is no evidence to indicate any evasive action was taken by either Koopman or Anderson.
Authorities say Koopman voluntarily submitted to a blood draw which is being sent to the DCI Crime Lab in Ankeny for analysis. Authorities say charges may be pending the outcome of those results, adding the collision is still under investigation.
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.
