Former RAAM competitor killed in accident

Former Race Across America competitor Randy Van Zee passed away on Friday after being struck from behind by a Pontiac Grand Prix in northwest Iowa. The 56 year-old was riding west on County Road B-14 shortly after 7 PM when he was struck by the west-bound vehicle, driven by a 21 year-old female from Archer.

Iowa State Patrol said in a report that the accident remains under investigation. Local troopers were assisted by the O'Brien County Sheriff's Office, Sanborn police and Sanborn ambulance service.

Van Zee was a solo competitor in the 2004 Race Across America, which he contested with a broken pelvis. Despite the injury, Van Zee rode 2,958 miles from San Diego to the New Jersey Coast in 11 days, 16 hours and 26 minutes.

A service will be held for Van Zee, who survived by his wife, children and six grandchildren, at the United Methodist Church in Sheldon later today.