DES MOINES — A 47-year-old Iowa motorcyclist died after authorities say he sped away from a marked patrol car, drove recklessly and was struck by another vehicle while trying to run a red light in Des Moines.
The fatal crash happened at about 11:10 p.m. on June 1, 2026, at 2nd Avenue and Euclid Avenue, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
Authorities identified the motorcyclist as Adam May, 47, of Des Moines. He was driving a 2002 Yamaha motorcycle westbound on Euclid Avenue when a trooper attempted to stop him for a traffic violation, the patrol reported.
Instead of stopping, May allegedly accelerated away from the fully marked patrol car and continued driving “in a reckless manner,” according to the crash report. The patrol said he was traveling at a high rate of speed, making bad passes and attempting to cross 2nd Avenue against a red light in an effort to flee law enforcement.
The motorcycle was then struck by a northbound 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by David Rother, 69, of Des Moines, according to the patrol.
May was thrown from the motorcycle. He was taken by Des Moines Fire Department personnel to Mercy Hospital, where he was listed as a fatality in the state report.
The motorcycle and the Monte Carlo were both towed by Central Iowa Towing.
The Iowa State Patrol said the crash was investigated by Trooper Scott Bogdanski. The patrol was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Des Moines Police Department and Des Moines Fire Department.