Highway 55 crash in Paynesville Township takes lives of motorcycle driver and passenger from Mora, Minnesota

By West Central Tribune staff report

May 21, 2023 at 5:46 PM

PAYNESVILLE — A motorcycle driver and his passenger lost their lives in a crash with a car at 1:28 p.m. Sunday on state Highway 55 in Stearns County.

The Minnesota State Patrol identified the victims on Monday as William James Clough, 53, and Melissa Anne Clough, 49, both of Mora.

According to the information from the State Patrol, a 2004 Buick La Sabre was westbound on Highway 55 and a 2014 Harley-Davidson touring motorcycle was eastbound when they collided near milepost 107 in Paynesville Township.

The driver of the Buick, Thomas Leonard Groby, 60, of Long Prairie, was not injured.

He was wearing a seat belt and alcohol was not a factor.

William Clough was the driver of the motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Melissa Clough was its passenger and was pronounced dead after being transported to CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital.

The Paynesville fire and police departments, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, CentraCare, and Life Link Air responded.

By West Central Tribune staff report

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Highway 55 crash in Paynesville Township takes lives of motorcycle driver and passenger from Mora, Minnesota

Man, 53, and woman, 49, from Mora are the victims of a crash Sunday in Stearns County.