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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.
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