A motorcyclist was killed last night (Wednesday) in Des Moines and the man police say she was drag-racing is charged with felony homicide by vehicle. Police Sergeant Todd Dykstra says 36-year-old Joyce Nelson of Des Moines died after her motorcycle slammed into an on-coming truck.
Dykstra says 52-year-old Mark O’Donnell of Urbandale is charged because of his participation in the racing. While it may appear the woman who died was the one to blame for her own demise, Sergeant Dykstra says charges against the man on the other speeding motorcycle are justified.
He says “When you’re participating in some type of irresponsible act, such as drag-racing, and something tragic occurs, there’s gotta’ be some type of accountability. That’s something I’m sure will be played out in the court system.”
Dykstra says Nelson’s death marks at least the 7th motorcycle fatality in Des Moines this year, noting, none of the seven killed were wearing helmets. He says “Helmets are a choice, people make that choice whether or not they chose to actually put it on their head but (helmets) definitely do save lives.” O’Donnell is being held in the Polk County Jail.