Dubuque Man Pleads Not Guilty For Fatal Motorcycle Crash

A Dubuque man charged in connection with a deadly motorcycle crash in August recently pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide. 40 year old Shannon Katka was arrested last month in Albert Lea, Minnesota on a Dubuque County warrant charging homicide by vehicle-operating under the influence. Katka entered a written plea of not guilty in Iowa District Court for Dubuque County. Authorities say Katka was driving north on East 16th Street approaching the entrance ramp to U.S. Highway 61/151 on August 29th when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed. His passenger, 43 year old Shelly Brenke, was thrown from the bike and was pronounced dead at the scene. A search warrant application filed in Iowa District Court of Dubuque County for a blood sample from Katka states Katka had bloodshot and watery eyes, smelled of an alcoholic beverage and had difficulty keeping his balance.