Waterloo Man Dies After Motorcycle Crash East of Freeport

The stories of Decorah matter. Help us cover them. FREEPORT, Iowa — A 65-year-old Waterloo man died Saturday evening after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Old Stage Road east of Freeport in Winneshiek County. Winneshiek County Dispatch received a 911 call at approximately 5:55 p.m. Aug. 22 reporting the crash in the 1600 block of Old Stage Road. Deputies arrived to find a 2008 Harley-Davidson motorcycle down in the westbound lane. The lone operator, identified as 65-year-old Russell James Knudson of Waterloo, was found off the roadway with life-threatening injuries. He was not wearing a helmet. WinnMed Ambulance transported Knudson to WinnMed Emergency Department in Decorah, where he was later pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation indicates the motorcycle was traveling westbound when it left the north side of the roadway while negotiating a curve. Witnesses traveling behind the motorcycle were interviewed at the scene, and physical evidence on the roadway was consistent with their statements, according to the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office. A yellow warning sign advising motorists of the tight curves is posted in advance of the section of Old Stage Road where the crash occurred. The Sheriff's Office said no determination regarding speed or the cause of the crash has been made at this time. The investigation remains open pending scene measurements, photographs, drone imagery and findings from the medical examiner. The motorcycle was removed from the scene by Don's Towing of Decorah. Stay in the know! Sign up for our free newsletter.