Raccoon causes Newton County motorcycle accident

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a motorcycle accident in Newton County Sunday night was caused by a raccoon.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 44-year-old Jose M. Robles of Quapaw, Oklahoma was riding his motorcycle on Coyote Drive, four miles west of Joplin around 11:20 p.m. when he hit a raccoon in the road and the cycle overturned.

Robles suffered moderate injuries, as did his passenger 43-year old Melissa G. Robles, also of Quapaw.

They were taken by ambulance to separate hospitals in Joplin.