A motorcycle crash in Stearns County late Friday morning claimed the life of a Minnesota broadcast veteran, and owner / operator of a radio station in Litchfield.
Stearns County authorities say they were called to the scene of a motorcycle crash near the intersection of Stearns County Road 50 and Glenwood Road in Wakefield Township, about one and a half miles north of Cold Spring, shortly before 12 noon on September 4th.
Authorities say they found a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in the southbound ditch along with a man later identified as 64-year-old Stephen Gretsch of Albany. Officials say life-saving measures were initiated at the scene, but Gretsch was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office says that Gretsch was not wearing a helmet.
(Stephen Gretsch ) (image: Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes)
According to information gathered at the scene, Gretsch was traveling southbound on County Road 50 with two other motorcyclists. As the group entered the curve near Glenwood Road, Gretch’s cycle continued straight and left the roadway, entering the southbound ditch. Officials say the motorcycle sustained extensive damage consistent with having rolled during the crash. A fiber-optic cable box and a utility pole were also struck and damaged. Authorities say alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the crash. The Cold Spring Police and Fire Departments, Cold Spring Rescue and Mayo Ambulance also responded to the scene.
Gretsch had been the owner of KLFD Radio in Litchfield since 2005, and was the morning announcer at the station.
A funeral Mass is planned for Saturday morning in Albany.
