A man driving a motorcycle was ejected from the vehicle after it was struck by a car crossing the intersection of Twitchell Road and Ohio 4 around midnight Sunday, troopers said.
CareFlight was called to transport the motorcyclist to Miami Valley Hospital to be treated for his injuries.
The victim was identified as Justin Miles, 21. He was listed in fair condition at 8 a.m. Sunday.
“Any motorcycle crash has the potential to be life threatening due to potential head injury,” Ohio Highway Patrol Sgt. Jim Slusher said. “He was thrown from the vehicle. He was a considerable distance from where the vehicle came to rest.”
Miles was not wearing a helmet, Slusher said.
Four occupants, which Slusher estimated to be under the age of 21, were inside the silver car that collided with the motorcycle. None of the people inside the car were seriously injured.
Slusher said Miles was driving northbound on Ohio 4 around midnight when the car travelling eastbound on Twitchell entered the intersection after stopping at a stop sign. The driver of the car, Cory Gannon, 18, didn’t see the motorcycle until the collision occurred.
“Motorcycles are more difficult to gauge distance and speed as they approach, because of only having one headlight,” Slusher said. “They’re not a very big vehicle, so they don’t catch our attention very easily.”
With warming temperatures filtering into the southwest Ohio region this weekend, many people have pulled out their motorcycles to ride them for the first time this season. Slusher said this crash is a fresh reminder to all drivers to take a few extra seconds to be aware of your surroundings while driving.
“It’s very important that people, especially at intersections and while entering the roadway, be cognizant of every vehicle, including motorcyclists,” Slusher said.
The crash remains under investigation and troopers plan to do blood testing to determine if alcohol may have played a role.
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