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Three people were killed in area holiday weekend crashes involving motorcycles.
A motorcyclist was killed Monday as he was riding on U.S. Route 224 near Deerfield in Portage County. Meanwhile, a New Castle, Pa., couple riding a Harley-Davidson was killed in a crash about 6:40 p.m. Saturday in Mercer County.
According to a report from the Ravenna post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a crash occurred about 3:48 p.m. Friday when a Kia Soul was westbound on U.S. Route 224 near Deerfield. It tried to turn left into a private drive and was struck by a purple Harley- Davidson trying to pass the Kia. The collision caused the motorcycle to veer off the left side of the road and come to rest in a ditch.
The crash ejected the motorcyclist, identified as Gerry D. Fraley, 65, of Doylestown, and his passenger and wife, Barbara, 65.
Gerry Fraley was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report, while Barbara Fraley and the driver of the Kia, identified as Loretta S. Blessing, 68, of Mahoning Township, each suffered minor injuries and were transported to University Hospital Portage in Ravenna.
Gerry Fraley was transported to the Cuyahoga Medical Examiner's Office where an autopsy was to be performed, the report states.
Alcohol, drugs and speed were not factors in the crash, which is under investigation by the patrol and the Portage County Coroner's Office, the report states.
Agencies assisting the patrol at the scene were Deerfield Fire and EMS, Palmyra EMS, the Portage County sheriff's and coroner's offices.
PENNSYLVANIA
According to a report from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Harley driven Saturday by Dennis L. Kennedy, 71, of New Castle, did not negotiate a left-hand curve on New Castle Mercer Road in Mercer County.
The motorcycle left the right side of the road and lost control on a berm, causing the vehicle to rotate. The Harley then re-entered the road before overturning.
Kennedy suffered major injuries and was flown to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital where he died on Sunday. His passenger, Elissa J. Kennedy, 69, of New Castle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The state police were assisted at the scene by Stat MedEvac, Superior EMS and volunteer fire departments from East End, New Wilmington and Volant.