Biker Crashes into another on RAGBRAI in Delaware County, Leaves Rider Injured
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In a surprising turn of events, a motorcycle accident involving a RAGBRAI rider occurred in Delaware County, Iowa, on Saturday morning. The incident took place on 150th Street, north of Manchester, and involved Joseph Buehner, a 59-year-old resident of Manchester, and Carla Sanchez-Melgar, a 37-year-old RAGBRAI rider from Irving, Texas.
According to reports, Buehner was driving his motorcycle when he turned onto 150th Street and encountered a full roadway of RAGBRAI bicycle riders. This caused him to move his motorcycle into the opposite travel lane. Witnesses reported that Buehner was yelling and screaming at the bicycle traffic before hitting a RAGBRAI rider, identified as Carla Sanchez-Melgar, from behind.
Sanchez-Melgar sustained minor injuries in the collision. After the accident, Buehner was confronted by a bicyclist and was shoved. Buehner also suffered minor injuries in the incident.
It is important to note that while motorcycles are on the roads during RAGBRAI in Delaware County, there are no specific laws or regulations solely addressing motorcycles' interaction with RAGBRAI cyclists that are publicly detailed. Standard Iowa traffic laws and event safety protocols apply.
RAGBRAI is a large annual cycling event where roads remain open to regular traffic, including motorcycles, unless otherwise posted or restricted by specific local ordinances. Iowa law requires all vehicles to share the road safely and maintain speed and attention appropriate to the presence of bicyclists. Local authorities, including Delaware County law enforcement, manage traffic and safety during the event, but exact special traffic rules for motorcycles on RAGBRAI routes are not explicitly provided in the searched documents.
For authoritative details, one might consult the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office or local law enforcement for any special temporary traffic regulations during RAGBRAI, Iowa’s motor vehicle and bicycle laws regarding sharing the road and speed limits in the presence of bicycles, and RAGBRAI official communications, which often include safety guidelines for all motorists on route days.
This is not the first reported incident of a motorcycle accident during RAGBRAI in Delaware County. On July 26, 2025, a motorcycle accidentally struck a RAGBRAI cyclist, indicating that motorcycles do operate on the same roads during the event, but caution and traffic rules are critical to safety.
This incident serves as a reminder for all road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic rules during events like RAGBRAI. It is essential to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all road users to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
- The accident involving Joseph Buehner, a local resident of Manchester, and Carla Sanchez-Melgar, a RAGBRAI rider, occurred on a road in Delaware County, Iowa.
- The motorcycle accident, which took place on 150th Street, north of Manchester, was reported in the general-news section of KMCH, a local news station.
- Buehner's encounter with a full roadway of RAGBRAI bicycle riders resulted in an accident with Sanchez-Melgar, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility and traffic rules during events like RAGBRAI.
- To understand the specific traffic rules for motorcycles during RAGBRAI, it is recommended to consult the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement, or RAGBRAI official communications for any special temporary traffic regulations.
