Motorcyclists killed near North Mankato identified

Thursday, July 21, 2011

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) -- The State Patrol has released the names of the two motorcyclists killed in a crash on Highway 14 west of North Mankato.

Forty-nine-year-old Lars Albrecht of Rio Rancho, N.M., and 61-year-old Robert Austin of Canby, Ore., were riding west on motorcycles Wednesday when they were struck by a pickup truck heading east.

The Free Press of Mankato reports (http://bit.ly/nWr15P) one man was declared dead at the scene while the other was declared dead after being flown to a hospital.

The State Patrol says the teenage driver of the pickup fell asleep at the wheel and drifted over the center line. He was taken to a Mankato hospital.

The teen's name was not released because he is a juvenile. The State Patrol says he may face criminal charges.

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Information from: The Free Press, http://www.mankatofreepress.com