A pair of Tuesday motorcycle crashes has State Highway Patrol officials reminding drivers about safety on the roads during the busy summer months.
A motorcyclist and his female passenger were killed in a crash just before 11 p.m. Tuesday on state Route 43 in Sandy Township in Stark County. A 2021 Subaru Forester operated by an 89-year-old Waynesburg woman turned left into a private driveway in front of the motorcycle traveling in the opposite direction. The motorcycle struck the Forester. Its operator, 53-year-old Richard Townsend Junior of Magnola and his passenger, 48-year-old Jennifer Byers of Navarre were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither were wearing helmets.
Meanwhile in Goshen Township on U.S. 250 Tuesday afternoon, a motorcyclist avoided serious injury in part because he was wearing a helmet. However, Trooper Dustin Bowersock of the NewPhiladelphia Post said he was driving without the proper endorsement and was speeding at about 80 to 85 miles per hour when he started losing control.
Bowersock said the motorcyclist kept the bike upright and came to a controlled stop. He was taken to Mercy Hospital for some lacerations and other minor injuries. Bowersock said it could have been worse.
He will be charged for not having the proper endorsement and an unsafe lane change. Highway Patrol officials continue to remind motorcycle riders to wear helmets and watch their speed.
They also want other drivers to be aware that motorcycles can accelerate and slow down faster than most vehicles on the road, so keep an eye for them.
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