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Below is an excerpt from KNIA's website about Highway 14 being closed following the races last night. Very tragic and Knoxville lost one of our own. My thoughts and prayers are with the Harsin family.
From KNIAKRLS.com
A 20 year-old Knoxville man was killed last night at the intersection of Highway 14 and G44 north of Knoxville.
The Iowa State Patrol reports that at approximately 7:30 PM yesterday, Clayton Bennett Harsin was northbound on a 1982 Yamaha on Highway 14, slowing in an attempt to turn eastbound on G44. A 2003 Frontier pickup driven by Michael Lee Liggett, 32, of Monroe failed to slow and struck the motorcycle in the rear. Harsin was ejected from the motorcycle, and Leggett allegedly fled the scene. Harsin was later pronounced dead at the scene.
In an update this morning, Sheriff Sandholdt shared this additional information regarding the incident.
A concerned citizen was aware officers were looking for the suspect and provided crucial information that aided in locating both Liggett and the vehicle in Monroe. Liggett was arrested at 608 S Commerce Street in Monroe and a search warrant was obtained for his vehicle. Liggett has been charged with Homicide by Vehicle While Operating Under the Influence and Operating Under the Influence 3rd.
Liggett appeared before District Associate Judge Steven Guiter this morning where bond was set at $160,000.00 cash or surety. Preliminary Hearing is scheduled on 08/08/2014 at 9:30 AM at the Marion County Courthouse.
The accident remains under investigation by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol. The Iowa State Patrol, Knoxville Police Department, Pella Police Department, Monroe Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Fire Department, Knoxville Rural Fire Department, Marion County Attorney’s Office, and the Marion County Emergency Management also responded to the scene.
Sheriff Sandholdt stated, “Thank you for everyone’s patience during this tragic event.
I appreciate the media and Knoxville race track getting the word out so that people could find alternate routes out of Knoxville after the races last night and I really appreciate the public’s response even more by honoring this request. I know that this was an inconvenience for some people but this allowed the first responders and law enforcement Officers to do their job without worrying about traffic or other distractions.
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