49-year-old Paul Knecht of Mt Sterling died in the mishap.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a fatality traffic crash that claimed the life of a 49 year-old Madison County man on Tuesday evening. The crash was reported at 7:35pm.
According to Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, the deceased has been identified as Paul J. Knecht, age 49 of Mt. Sterling, Ohio. According to the report, Knecht was operating his 1999 Harley-Davidson motorcycle eastbound on U.S. Route 22 SE when a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am, operated by Amber R. Pence, Age 16 of Washington C.H., Ohio pulled from the north intersection of Bogus Road to cross U.S. Route 22 SE and pulled into the path of the Knecht vehicle. The two vehicles collided in the intersection, ejecting Knecht and a passenger on the motorcycle, identified as his spouse, Cheryl L. Knecht, Age 37.
Paul and Cheryl Knecht were transported from the scene by Fayette County E.M.S. to the Fayette County Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. Cheryl Knecht was transferred from Fayette County Memorial Hospital to the Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio for further medical treatment. Paul Knecht was pronounced dead at Fayette County Memorial Hospital by Fayette County Coroner Dr. Albert Gay. Pence was examined and released at the scene by Fayette County E.M.S.
Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene. Members of the Sheriff’s Rescue Unit and Washington Fire Department also responded to the scene for assistance.
Members of the Sheriff’s Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit were called to the scene and are continuing their investigation of the crash.
