Motorcycle crash claims woman from Elk River

PAYNESVILLE -- The Minnesota State Patrol said Chelsey D. Nielson, 21, of Elk River died from injuries received in a motorcycle accident on state Highway 4 near Paynesville early Saturday morning. Nielson was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center where she died.

Nielson was a passenger on the motorcycle driven by 28-year-old Jeremy D. Hoffenkamp of Atwater. He was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital in critical condition.

The patrol said the motorcycle was traveling south on Highway 4 near 220th Street in Stearns County when the rear tire went flat, causing the driver to lose control. The bike and both riders went down and skidded into the ditch.