Deputies with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office and local first responders were dispatched
Fatal Garber Road Motorcycle Collision
Deputies with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office and local first responders were dispatched at approximately 9:17 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, following reports of a severe multi-vehicle motorcycle accident on Garber Road, west of Kennedy Road in Clayton County. According to crash reports, three motorcycles were traveling eastbound when a white-tailed deer entered the roadway. The lead motorcycle, a red 2013 Harley-Davidson operated by 42-year-old Joshua Knockel, struck the deer. Kelley Knockel, 34, sustained catastrophic injuries in the impact and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Emergency medical personnel treated Joshua Knockel for severe injuries before airlifting him via medical helicopter to a hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin. A second motorcycle, operated by 58-year-old Mathew Witham of Guttenberg, Iowa, lost control while attempting evasive maneuvers to avoid the initial crash, causing Witham to sustain serious injuries requiring transport to a regional medical center. Occupants on the third motorcycle escaped without physical injury.
Law Enforcement Investigation
Deputies and traffic reconstruction specialists with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office secured the stretch of Garber Road to conduct an extensive scene processing and collision reconstruction. Sheriff’s investigators confirmed that the presence of wildlife on the roadway was the primary contributing factor in the crash, and an active inquiry remains ongoing to complete official accident reports.
Community Reaction and Memorial Support
News of Knockel’s death at age 34 has brought profound grief to her family, friends, and residents across Clayton and Delaware counties. Community members continue to extend prayers and messages of sympathy to the Knockel and Witham families as Joshua Knockel undergoes medical treatment. Formal announcements regarding visitation hours, celebration-of-life services, and family memorial arrangements will be released by family representatives and local funeral coordinators once finalized.
