Colesburg woman identified as victim in fatal motorcycle crash in Clayton County, two others seriously injured

On October 10, 2026, at approximately 9:17 p.m., deputies with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Garber Road, west of Kennedy Road, for a reported motorcycle crash involving multiple injuries.

A preliminary investigation determined that three motorcycles were traveling eastbound on Garber Road when a white-tailed deer entered the roadway.

The lead motorcycle, a red 2013 Harley-Davidson operated by Joshua Knockel, 42, of Colesburg, Iowa, struck the deer. His passenger, Kelley Knockel, 34, of Colesburg, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Joshua Knockel sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Emplify Health in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The second motorcycle, a black 2014 Harley-Davidson operated by Mathew Witham, 58, of Guttenberg, Iowa, took evasive action and lost control. Witham sustained serious injuries and was transported to Guttenberg Municipal Hospital.

The third motorcycle, a black 2013 Harley-Davidson operated by Nicklas Rosenberger, 33, of Dubuque, Iowa, with passenger Selena Courtney-Puccio, 39, of Dubuque, was able to avoid the collision. Neither occupant was injured.

The crash remains under investigation by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.

The following agencies assisted the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office at the scene: Guttenberg Police Department, Guttenberg Ambulance Service, Mercy-One Elkader Ambulance Service, Guttenberg Fire Department, Edgewood Auto and Tire, Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office, Garber First Responders, Morris Funeral Homes, and Garnavillo Police Department.