The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating two vehicle crash on I-71.
The Wilmington Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle, fatal crash, that occurred on I-71 in Greene County Ohio.
Tuesday, at approximately 6:55 p.m., a 2007 Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle driven by Paul Stafford, age 23, of Cleves Ohio, was northbound on I-71 traveling at a high rate of speed. Mr. Stafford continued at a high rate of speed and passed several vehicles on the right side berm.
Mr. Stafford then struck the rear portion of a semi-truck trailer and was ejected from the motorcycle. Ohio State Troopers arrived on scene moments after the crash. Troopers performed CPR, but were unsuccessful. Mr. Stafford was pronounced dead at the scene by the Greene County Coroner.
The semi-truck that Mr. Stafford struck is unknown at this time. The truck did not stop at the scene, and it is possible the truck driver did not know it was involved in a crash.
The crash investigation remains open and ongoing. Any witnesses are asked to contact the Wilmington Post with further information pertaining to the investigation.
Wilmington Assistant Post Commander, Sergeant C.A. Crisafi states, "Crashes involving motorcycles in Ohio killed more than 500 people and injured more than 11,000 from 2009 to 2011. Last year, there were 167 such fatalities. The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to focus our enforcement efforts on crash-causing violations, in an attempt to reduce the number of crashes."
