A motorcycle accident on Grey Cloud Island on Aug. 24 took the life of the driver, Eric Lee Nelson, 27, Shoreview.  

The single-vehicle motorcycle accident occurred at 11:01 a.m., while Nelson was traveling southbound on the 9200 block of Grey Cloud Island Drive South. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident. It was called in by a local resident who heard the sound of the collision. Woodbury EMS and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched, and the driver, Nelson, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department investigation concluded that there was no indication of another vehicle involved or foul play. The Minnesota State Patrol was brought in to perform a reconstruction analysis of the accident based on physical evidence available at the scene, and the conclusion was that Nelson lost control going into the curve on the bridge and the motorcycle collided with the guardrails, throwing him from the vehicle. 

Nelson was riding a 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle owned by his cousin, Logan Schultz, of Saint Paul Park. As he traveled over an inlet from the Mississippi River on the island, he apparently collided with the metal guard rail on the first curve after losing control. The State Patrol’s reconstruction analysis investigated factors such as visible skid marks, estimated speed and trajectory, and other potential contributors to the accident. 

The initial responding Washington County Deputy reported that Woodbury EMS was already on-site and had declared Nelson deceased before he arrived. Nelson’s father and wife were immediately called, and his personal property was given to them. The officer notified the owner of the motorcycle, Schultz, of the accident and asked if the family would like a chaplain at the scene to assist the family, to which Schultz agreed. 

When a second deputy arrived, he observed several trucks pulled over and bystanders pointing to the location of the driver. Nelson was officially declared deceased at 11:18 a.m. 

A memorial is located at the site of the crash, with flowers, an arrow, and a sign written on a skateboard that reads “Eric Lee Nelson 1996-2023.” 

From the family of Eric Nelson: 

“Eric would be the person to walk into a room and everyone would light up with excitement. His humor was bizarre and contagious and will forever leave a mark on those who met him. He was very easy to like and as his brother has said, he was the best of all of us. He was selfless and supportive of those around him, if anyone needed help with anything he was the first one there. He loved hunting and fishing. He grew up skateboarding and continued into adulthood. Through life's ups and downs he conquered challenges most would break from and inspired those around him. He was a finish carpenter that took pride in his work. He leaves behind a 2-year-old son who he did anything for and he loved dearly. He was an amazing father, friend, and family member. We will forever miss his laugh that lightened the room no matter what was going on. The memorial on Grey Cloud Island Drive was placed by his brother, cousin, and a small group of his many friends. 

“We want to thank the officers on scene, and the Grey Cloud residents that opened their home to us while we were onsite that morning.  

“We have a Go Fund Me to help with funeral/celebration costs, and financial relief for his wife and son through this difficult transition. Any help would be greatly appreciated. https://gofund.me/c891d2d3