State Patrol releases names of locals in Delano cycle fatal

WILLMAR -- The Minnesota State Patrol has released the names of three area men who were involved in a double fatal motorcycle crash Saturday afternoon in Delano. None of the men were hurt.

According to the patrol, Michael G. Jopp, 21, of Willmar, was driving the 1999 Chevy Silverado involved in a crash with a motorcycle driven by David D. Thoele, 45, of Cologne. There were two passengers in the pickup, Joshua D. Dragt, 26, of Willmar, and Kyle D. Lush, 21, of Pennock.

Thoele lost control of the 1993 Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was driving on a curve at the intersection of River Street and Franklin Avenue. The patrol said Thoele was unable to make the curve and laid the motorcycle on its side and then slid under the pickup.

Thoele and his passenger, Mary K. Lofquist, 50, of Watertown, died.

The accident was reported at 5:18 p.m. Saturday. The Wright County Sheriff's Office assisted at the scene.