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Can DNA tests free ex-Akron captain?
Victim of beating in Kent last week is declared dead at Akron hospital
Green High senior goes extra mile for those who walk and jog the park trails
Community, school and military news roundup
Tragedy to hope: Family creates foundation for bereavement therapy
Visiting new Navy ship brings back memories for Doylestown man serves on USS New York in 1930s
Most Read Stories
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Victim of beating in Kent last week is declared dead at Akron hospital
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
Browns' roster nearly devoid of consistent players
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Blogs:
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Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Hitchens leads Zips in second-half comeback
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Kent State blown out in second half, loses to Temple 47-13
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Four area football teams play tonight
All Da King's Men:
Headed For Disaster
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Will Health Care Reform Pass?
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (69) The Brookings Institute Study on "Bending the Curve" – Four General Strategies
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Driver reaches for it, runs into motorcycles
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Jul 19, 2008
Everyone knows smoking can be deadly.
Last weekend, a group of Akron motorcyclists found out that even a dropped lighter can be dangerous.
The bikers were riding east on State Route 5, east of Hanna Road in Charlestown Township in Portage County on July 12 when two of the motorcycles were struck by an oncoming sport utility vehicle that had gone left of center.
The driver of the 2005 Saturn Vue lost control after dropping a cigarette lighter, said the State Highway Patrol trooper who investigated the accident, which happened about 4:55 p.m.
''The lighter dropped to the passenger side and when he attempted to reach for it, he drifted left of center,'' said Trooper
Jaime Sweitzer.
The crash set off a chain reaction that resulted in a third motorcycle hitting one of the first two bikes.
All six people on the three Harley-Davidson motorcycles were injured. Three remain in hospitals.
Geoffrey Davis, 50, of Akron is in fair condition at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.
His passenger, Theresa Miller, 37, of Akron, was flown by helicopter to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, where her left leg was amputated. Her condition was listed as fair.
David Perrine, 50, of Akron, remains in serious condition in the intensive-care unit at Akron City Hospital.
His passenger, Julia Hill, 26, of Akron, was taken to the hospital but wasn't admitted.
The rider of the third bike, Kenneth Reese, 51, of Cuyahoga Falls, was released from Akron City Hospital on Tuesday. His passenger, Kim Mook, 40, of Akron, suffered minor injuries and was not hospitalized.
None of the motorcyclists wore helmets. They were on their way to Warren for a chicken roast.
The SUV driver, Daniel Masterson, 24, of Leavittsburg in Warren Township, was not injured.
One of the bike riders reported seeing the SUV driver ''slumped over or looking down as if he was text messaging on a cell phone,'' Sweitzer said.
''Based on the driver's own statement, there is no factual evidence to support he was using his cell phone.''
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
Everyone knows smoking can be deadly.
Get the full article here.
