Payson Roundup

A beloved Walgreens cashier was killed Thursday afternoon near Camp Verde while riding a motorcycle with her husband.

Marlene “Marty” Berg, 73, was riding on the back of a motorcycle with her husband Kenneth Berg, 75, at the intersection of Highway 260 and Interstate 17 when they collided with a minivan around 12:30 p.m., said Lt. Earl Huff with the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office.

Marty was killed and Kenneth was airlifted to a Valley hospital in critical condition. He later had one of his legs amputated, Huff said.

The driver of the van, a 68-year-old woman, and passenger, an 84-year-old man, were uninjured. The pair was reportedly on their way to the doctor.

The Bergs were turning east onto Highway 260, and the van was traveling west on Highway 260 when the accident occurred. Both drivers reported having a green light.

When officers arrived, Marty’s helmet was removed, but Huff could not say if it fell off or was later removed.

Huff said he is still investigating the crash, but no one has been cited.

Walgreens Manager Cliff Wilembrecht said Marty had worked as a cashier for 13 years and was well loved by everyone.

“People just loved her. She always talked to each and every person and had many, many friends,” he said. “She was so full of life.”

The store was getting ready to celebrate Marty’s upcoming 74th birthday.

Wilembrecht said she would be missed.