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GEORGETOWN, Ohio -- The Georgetown Ohio State Highway Patrol Post is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash which occurred Tuesday, following the safest reported Memorial Day holiday weekend in Ohio in 38 years.
The 12:45 p.m. crash on Ohio 125, just west of mile post eight, involved a motorcycle and a pick-up, according to OSHP Lieutenant B.A. Rhodes.
According to Rhodes, a 2008 Honda Shadow motorcycle was traveling westbound on Ohio 123. The motorcycle was being operated by Daniel Staggs, 50, of Georgetown, Ohio.
A 1997 Ford F-350 pick-up truck driven by Patrick Schwartz, 19, of Georgetown was also traveling westbound on Ohio 125, approaching the motorcycle from behind, according to Rhodes.
Preliminary investigation shows the motorcycle was slowing or stopped on Ohio125, when the pick-up failed to slow down or stop down and struck the motorcycle in the rear.
Staggs was thrown from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician from University Hospital's Air Care unit. He was taken to the Brown County Hospital morgue by the Georgetown Life Squad.
According to Rhodes, Staggs was not wearing a helmet and Schwartz was wearing a seat belt. Schwartz was not injured.
"The accident remains under investigation," Rhodes said.
The OSHP reported Tuesday the 2008 Memorial Day holiday was the safest recorded in Ohio for the past 38 years prior to the Georgetown fatality.
Six people were killed in six crashes over the holiday weekend on Ohio roads: four fewer deaths than during the same period last year.
Over the holiday weekend, state troopers arrested 650 impaired drivers and assisted 4,580 motorists.
"We are extremely encouraged by fewer fatalities this Memorial Day weekend. However, Ohioans need to focus on motorcycle safety due to 33 percent of the fatalities being motorcyclists," said Patrol Superintendent, Colonel Richard H. Collins prior to Tuesday's accident.
Of the six people killed during the duration of the weekend, two were motorcycle fatalities. Alcohol was in use in three of the six fatalities and it is unknown if alcohol was used in the remaining three.
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