Eagan Motorcyclist Dies in Apple Valley Crash

An Eagan man died Thursday after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a pick-up truck in Apple Valley.

Troy Wolfgang Bargel, 43, of Eagan, was driving a motorcycle north on Pilot Knob Road in Apple Valley when it collided with the front quarter of a westbound pick-up truck that pulled out for a left turn from the intersection of Pilot Knob and 157th Street West, according to a news release from the Apple Valley Police Department. Police were called at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, the release said.

Bargel was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where he died later Thursday. The pick-up truck driver, a 34-year-old woman, was not injured, Apple Valley Police Capt. Jon Rechtzigel said Friday.

Tests at the accident scene showed the pick-up truck driver was not under the influence of alcohol, Rechtzigel said; he said he didn't know whether Bargel had alcohol in his system, but that the Ramsey County Medical Examiner would be responsible for toxicology reports.

Bargel was not wearing a helmet, Rechtzigel said.

Rechtzigel said the Minnesota State Patrol will do a reconstruction of the crash, which can take about a month. He said this would help show how the motorcycle was moving at the time of the crash, including its speed.

Because the pick-up truck was at a stop sign at the intersection, the right-of-way would have belonged to the motorcycle, Rechtzigel said; he said he didn't know whether charges would be filed related to the crash.

Rechtzigel said he hopes the incident reminds people to be safe during the holiday weekend as they drive and do other activities.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.