Two Ohio motorcycle accidents leave 1 dead, 2 injured

The past few days have been bad ones for motorcycling on some Ohio roads. The developments reinforce that, while many people consider motorcyclists risk takers just by virtue of the mode of transportation they choose to use, too often accidents involving motorcycles happen because other drivers fail to adequately watch for them.

It is true that driving a motorcycle is more inherently dangerous than a personal car or truck. Because of that, most motorcyclists learn early the importance of driving defensively. But having such skills doesn’t do much to counter negligence by others.

Two particular accidents spark these observations. The first occurred Sunday afternoon in Liberty Township. The Ohio State Highway Patrol says that a 25-year-old Vienna man was riding north on State Route 193 when a 32-year-old woman in a pickup truck pulled onto the highway from a private driveway.

Based on information provided to the media, it appears the woman was pulling out head-first onto the highway and pulled right into the motorcycle’s path and the motorcycle collided with the driver’s side of the truck.

Authorities say the motorcyclist was rushed to the hospital, but he didn’t make it. The driver of the pickup truck escaped unhurt. Charges could be filed against the woman pending the outcome of an investigation.

In the second crash, two people wound up suffering critical injuries. This crash happened on Sunday in Bethel Township. In this case, too, authorities say a pickup truck pulled into the path of the motorcycle at U.S 40 and South Palmer Road. As this is written, a 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman are said to remain hospitalized at Miami Valley Hospital.

That incident, too, remains under investigation.

The outcome of these probes could prove critical to the success of any personal injury claims that might be prompted by the accidents.