BIRTH:               1950

DEATH:              August 17, 1969 - Fort Dodge IA

GRADE SCHOOL:  
JUNIOR HIGH:  

The Messenger Article
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Tuesday, August 19, 1969

At 169-20 junction

Cyclist killed in collision with car

A young Fort Dodge motorcyclist was killed Sunday afternoon in a collision with a car at the intersection of U.S. Highways 169 and 20. Harold Denis Harris, 19, son of Mr and Mrs. Paul Harris, 202 Ave. F, was pronounced dead on arrival at Lutheran Hospital following the accident which occurred at 3:40 p.m.

Driver of the car, Mrs. Esther Christina Carlson, 51, Humboldt and her husband Merle, a passenger, received only minor injuries, according to investigating Iowa Highway Patrol and Sheriff's officers.

Officers said Mrs. Carlson was traveling south on Highway 169 and was making a left turn onto Highway 20 when the car was struck on the right side by the northbound cycle. She had stopped for the traffic light, and when it turned green she proceeded with her turn.

Mrs. Carlson told officers she didn't see the cycle until after the impact. She added her husband had slid toward her on the seat immediately before the crash, as if he had seen the cycle coming.

Harris had passed a car driven by Donna Ann Mathey, 1527 D St. West, moments before the crash, officers said. They believe Harris was traveling at a high rate of speed.

The interior of the Carlson car was "sprayed" with glass, officers said. Carlson suffered several cuts, and Mrs Carlson was also struck by slivers of flying glass.

Carlson was examined at Lutheran Hospital and later released, officers said. Mrs Carlson was treated for abrasions at the scene.

Harris was to marry Marsha Nelson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelson Jr. of Otho in the near future. It is believed he was coming from a shower being given for his fiancee at Otho when the crash occurred.

Highway Patrolman Ronald LeMoine, who investigated the accident later remarked that the intersection is treacherous for cars turning left onto Highway 20 from 169. There are no left turn lights as there are for cars turning off Highway 20, he pointed out. "Cars turning left from 169 to 20 have to fight the through traffic," he said.

Services for Harold Dennis Harris, will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bruce's Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Robert Leverenz of the Riverside United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 6 p.m. Monday.

Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Harris, Fort Dodge; two brothers and two sisters, Mark Allen and Scott Michael, Marylou, Kimberly Ann, all at home; step-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Livasy, Des Moines.

Harold was born in Fort Dodge and graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1968. He attended Iowa Central Community College for a year. He had been employed at Iowa Beef Packers Inc. and prior to this had been employed at Avco.