MASON CITY – No charges will be brought in a recent fatal collision in Mason City, as police say the driver of a motorcycle failed to yield upon entering an uncontrolled intersection.
On Monday, March 29, 2021, at around 4:25 PM, Mason City Police Department officers and the Mason City Fired Department were dispatched to 11th Street NE and Rhode Island Avenue for a collision. The collision involved a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by Taylor Bublitz, of Mason City, and a 2006 Harley Davidson FLHXI, driven by James Birke, also of Mason City. Birke suffered injuries in the collision and was transported by Mason City Fire Department ambulance to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. Birke later died at the hospital as a result of those injuries.
Mason City police now say the investigation into this collision has been completed. Based on the evidence and witness statements these are the findings:
– Bublitz was westbound on 11th Street approaching Rhode Island.
– Birke was northbound on Rhode Island approaching 11th Street.
– The intersection has no traffic control devices or signs, making it an uncontrolled intersection.
Iowa law requires drivers to yield to vehicles on the right at uncontrolled intersections. Birke failed to yield upon entering the intersection and was struck by Bublitz. There will be no charges filed in this collision.