Motorcycle wreck claims life of former Reasnor resident

A Des Moines man, who formerly lived in Reasnor, was killed and a Newton man was hospitalized after an early morning single-motorcycle crash near Maytag Park.

At approximately 2:15 a.m. Saturday, the Newton Police Department was called to a motorcycle accident near the intersection of West Fourth Street South and South 15th Avenue West. When officers arrived, they found two men lying in a ditch near the intersection.

The passenger — Bret Rice, 26, of Des Moines and formerly of Reasnor — was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Alex Spangenburg, 23, of Newton, was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He was listed in “serious but stable” condition as of Monday morning.

Neither man was wearing a helmet.

According to Newton Police, the motorcycle was traveling south in the 1300 block of West Fourth Street when the driver struck the curb on the east side of the roadway. The motorcycle slid on its side and then struck the south curb along South 15th Avenue West, then vaulted and struck a utility pole.

Spangenburg had a revoked license and didn’t have a motorcycle endorsement. The accident is still under investigation, but speed is believed to be a contributing factor. It is unknown yet if alcohol played a role.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com