On 9/3/26 at approximately 08:05 hours deputies and medical responders were called to the area of White Pole Road (highway 6) and Memphis Road for an accident involving 2 motorcycles. At approximately 08:09 hours, a 3rd motorcycle lost control and was involved as well. All first responders arrived to find 2 motorcycles in the west ditch closer to the intersection of White Pole Road and Memphis Road and the 3rd motorcycle south further and on the east shoulder of White Pole Road. Unit 1 and unit 2 were riding together, and unit 3 came along a short time later. All units struck a patch of roadway that had a coating of mud, manure or field debris of some sort. With recent and continued rainfall, it caused this debris to become very slick which caused motorcycles to lose traction/control. When they lost control, they were laid down on the roadway and slid to their resting locations.
Unit 1 was identified as a 2023 BMW motorcycle being operated by Jerry Gilbert of Tucson, AZ.
Unit 2 was identified as a 2021 BMW motorcycle being operated by Neil Hejny of Oro Valley, AZ.
Unit 3 was identified as a 2017 Yamaha motorcycle being operated by Heather Christensen of Oakland, IA.
Unit 1 operator Jerry Gilbert was transported via Cass Ems to Jennie Ed Hospital in Council Bluffs for what is believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. Unit 2 operator Neil Hejny and unit 3 operator Heather Christensen were checked for injuries via medical personnel but denied any further medical treatment.
All motorcycles received significant, disabling damage but to an unknown amounts at this time. The Iowa Department of Transportation was dispatched to help remove the slick roadway debris. The Atlantic Fire Department also used high pressure water to remove additional debris built-up on the roadway.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Cass Ems, Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Lewis Rescue, Atlantic Police Department, and Iowa DOT.
