Motorcycle Benefit Ride Leaves One Cedar Rapids Rider Dead

On Sunday, September 12, 2010 a benefit motorcycle ride took place in Iowa honoring Don Griffith Jr. This was the fifth year the benefit ride occurred to honor Griffith who was killed in Iraq in 2005. Unfortunately, at this memorial ride, a fatal motorcycle accident in Troy Mills took place.

Gerald Platner, a 59-year-old motorcycle rider of Mechanicsville, was traveling with Christene O. Midyett, 51, of Cedar Rapids. According to police, Platner was east of Troy Mills Road traveling east on Central Road when he lost control of his motorcycle. The motorcycle crash occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Unfortunately, both Platner and Midyett were not wearing helmets.

Platner was transported to St. Luke's Hospital for medical care. He did not have life-threatening injuries; however, Midyett did sustain serious injuries. She was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City on Saturday evening. Sadly, she died around 2 p.m. on Sunday from the injuries she suffered in the Iowa motorcycle accident.

We are saddened to hear of this fatal motorcycle crash, and send our condolences to the family and friends of Christene Midyett.

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