Events Calendar
In This Section
Community campaign collecting donations for Haiti victims
Texas company buys vast gas resources
Zips nip Chipps with late barrage
Boys basketball: Buchtel 89, Garfield 62
Council OKs grant to bring jobs to Green
Welcome to Akron's 'new' neighborhood
Obituary: Hoban's Tom Goodall felt obliged to share everything he had
Most Read Stories
Man robbed at Tallmadge Avenue eatery
Another winter punch heading toward Ohio
Four teens restrain man, take items from his Akron home
Complaints against officer keep coming
Police: Ohio girl dies after fall into snow bank
Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Police: Man tries to buy crack with credit card
Cleveland named worst U.S. city for winter weather; Columbus is No. 8
Woman rescued after falling through rotting floor in house
Man admits stealing TV from Akron home
Blogs:
First Bell - On Education:
No City of Akron basketball tonight
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Law, Love and Chocolate
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
OFCCP Report
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
By Beacon Journal staff
POSTED: 09:36 a.m. EST, Nov 09, 2009
A 36-year-old Mentor man died Saturday evening when the motorcycle he was operating ran into the back of a parked pickup truck in North Canton.
Roy L. Semrau II, of Glen Lodge Road, suffered head trauma when his motorcycle hit the truck in the 300 block of Lindy Lane NW at 5:43 p.m., said Harry Campbell, chief investigator for the Stark County Coroner's Office.
Semrau's wife, Kathleen A. Semrau, was a passenger on the back of the motorcycle. She was transported to Canton's Aultman Hospital where she remained Monday. Her condition is not known.
Neither rider was wearing a helmet, police said.
Several people witnessed the crash, including Semrau's father, who was riding a motorcycle behind the victim's motorcycle, Campbell said.
Semrau was transported to Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m., the coroner's office said.
North Canton police are investigating the accident. Stark County Coroner P.S. Murthy will conduct an autopsy this morning, Campbell said.
A 36-year-old Mentor man died Saturday evening when the motorcycle he was operating ran into the back of a parked pickup truck in North Canton.
Roy L. Semrau II, of Glen Lodge Road, suffered head trauma when his motorcycle hit the truck in the 300 block of Lindy Lane NW at 5:43 p.m., said Harry Campbell, chief investigator for the Stark County Coroner's Office.
Semrau's wife, Kathleen A. Semrau, was a passenger on the back of the motorcycle. She was transported to Canton's Aultman Hospital where she remained Monday. Her condition is not known.
Neither rider was wearing a helmet, police said.
Several people witnessed the crash, including Semrau's father, who was riding a motorcycle behind the victim's motorcycle, Campbell said.
Semrau was transported to Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m., the coroner's office said.
North Canton police are investigating the accident. Stark County Coroner P.S. Murthy will conduct an autopsy this morning, Campbell said.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:18 AM, 11/09/2009
To the Semrau Family&Friends,sorry for your loss,
May God Be with you All though all of this..
Akron, OH
Posted 10:25 AM, 11/09/2009
Condolences to the rider's family and friends and prayers for a speedy recovery to the passenger.
Helmets don't save a life in every motorcycle crash, but I've never seen one where a helmet caused any negative outcome.
I wonder why the name of the driver who turned left in front of the dead motorcyclist isn't included in this story?
UNIONTOWN, OH
Posted 10:42 AM, 11/09/2009
HE RAN INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED TRUCK. MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES GO OUT TO THE FAMILY
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:24 AM, 11/09/2009
It would be nice if Overtaxed Voter actually read the article...the motorcyclist ran into the back of a parked truck...
Unless you know something that wasnt report...like you were the one who cut them off?
somewhere near you, US
Posted 12:07 PM, 11/09/2009
overtaxed brain,
Ever heard of Dale Earnhardt?
Barberton, oh
Posted 12:35 PM, 11/09/2009
We have read a large number of motorcycle accidents, and deaths in the past few weeks. Being a retired motorcycle rider of 40 years,I sadly point out that many times it is the lack of education on the part of weekend riders or pleasure riders if you like. Riding a motorcycle takes three times as much attention to what you are doing and what is going on around you. Many of todays riders don't understand that.
Canton, OH
Posted 12:38 PM, 11/09/2009
. . .wow. . . .
Put that helmet on. . . .C'Mon. . . .
Barberton, OH
Posted 12:57 PM, 11/09/2009
HOW SAD TO SEE YOUR SON GET KILLED
akron, oh
Posted 12:59 PM, 11/09/2009
did he lose control or something? over steer? hmmm.
Barberton, Oh
Posted 01:29 PM, 11/09/2009
May the Great Spirit take you to a happier place where you can ride anytime you want.
Peace and Eternally Grateful!
akron, oh
Posted 01:40 PM, 11/09/2009
My prayers ware with the family.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:11 PM, 11/09/2009
=================
@Question Authority who posted:
Ever heard of Dale Earnhardt?
=================
QA...
Are you trying to say that WEARING a helmet is what killed Dale Earnhardt or that he would have survived if he hadn't wearing one?
You have really got to quit doing so many drugs on the weekend. The effects continue well into your Monday mornings.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:14 PM, 11/09/2009
O&O...
There were two fatal motorcycle crashes over the weekend. One involved a truck turning left in front of the rider. The other involved this crash into a parked truck.
As someone else posted, far too many fatal motorcycle crashes lately.
Cuyahoga Falls, Oh
Posted 03:18 PM, 11/09/2009
Condolences to the family. How tragic.
willoughby, oh
Posted 05:14 PM, 11/09/2009
Condolences to the Semrau family, I am very sorry for your loss. You raised a fine son that I was proud to have known. To Special K's Family, my prayers are with you and will meet you all soon. To the people who want to just blog things they don't know about, this is the third accident in 2 weeks for alot of us that are going to read this.Weekend warriors?!?! These 3 were some of the best riders I knew.I rode with them in rain in deplorable conditions to get to benifits and concerts. Combined they probably had more years riding than motorcycles been in exisitence. 40yr's retired, stay that way. Helmets? Did you put your helmet on when you walked on an icy sidewalk? What about when you climb a ladder to clean gutters? There are risk's in everything, we know this. Being in America, I'll make my choice thank you, keep your opinion to yourself. For those who are riding, Let this be the last for the year, defenesive riding, cover your clutch in the X and keep your eyes moving. This was the 3rd and I hope the last.
Wickliffe, OH
Posted 07:10 PM, 11/09/2009
To the Semrau's family,
Our thoughts with you.
Wickliffe, OH
Posted 07:25 PM, 11/09/2009
To the commenter's;
Remember Roy was a father, a husband, and a son. He is now gone.Show his family who will read this, the respect that they deserve. Your opinion does not matter here. What does matter is that there is a grieving family that has lost a loved one.And has another loved one fighting for her life.
Posted 09:49 PM, 11/09/2009
once again helmets are a choice! There is not one thing in that article that says he had head injuries! Heres an idea unless u were there keep ur mouth shut!
Posted 09:50 PM, 11/09/2009
for anyone on myspace or face book look up and join ohio bikers we will be doin some rides and tryin to make people pay attention to us!
AKRON, OH
Posted 11:29 PM, 11/09/2009
Question Authority - DALE EARNHART DIED FROM NECK TRAUMA - REFUSED - IN FACT - TO WEAR HIS HEAD AND NECK RESTRAINT (HANS) SAFETY DEVICES - THERE WAS ALSO A FAILING IN HIS SAFTY HARNESS SYSTEM
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:28 AM, 11/10/2009
My condolences to the family. We as motorcyle riders lose to many riders each year,whether it be UNATTENTIVE CAGE DRIVERS!!!,animals running loose,drinking and riding, or any other of the hazards we have to face while enjoying our freedom of the rode. No one but the father(it is sad he had to witness the accident) knows what happened. I have been riding and wrenching on bikes for thirty plus years, and I have seen the too many riders loose their lives. As far as helmets go,IT IS OUR CHOICE to wear one or not,I personaly have attended many helmet rallys, and wrote many letters to congressmen trying to keep it OUR CHOICE! So drop the HE HAD NO HELMET ON ISSUE! Cage drivers if you do not like that we have that choice start rallying together and fight the seat belt law, you will be suprised at what strength in numbers can do. Again my condolences and RIDERS BE AWARE OF WHATS GOING ON AROUND YOU AT ALL TIMES,RIDE SAFE!!
Stow, Oh
Posted 07:32 AM, 11/10/2009
Dale Ernhardt didn't want to feel encumbered by the restraints. He thought it would impact his racing/driving.
Even though he died, I bet he wouldn't do it any differently. Most motorcycle riders I bet feel the same way.
It's something about being free.
rittman, oh
Posted 08:29 AM, 11/10/2009
pbromallps
yes, there was a mention of head injury, it was head trauma that killed him. So very sorry for this family, especially the father and wife who had to be witnesses. May God be with you.
uniontown, oh
Posted 12:31 PM, 11/10/2009
My prayers are with your loss. My youngest son and I ride every now and then. I know that we don't ride enough but we do ride safe. The best of the best riders will go down from time to time. Loose gravel, slippery when a rain hits the hot road, real bad, tight turns, no banks, bad drivers hitting bikers, drunks, etc. I have been down three times over my 40 some years of riding and the good Lord stayed with me. I look at riding as a personal sport and fun, and enjoyable lifestyle. So to everyone who does the same, please ride safe and "keep it between the lines". Again my sympathy to the family, and to the wife and father, stay strong. You have thousands and thousands of people who love you.
Posted 02:01 AM, 11/11/2009
pbromallps
Try reading the article or Heres an idea unless u were there keep ur mouth shut!
akron, oh
Posted 08:27 AM, 11/16/2009
Nanook Im sorry for your loss.. So sad.. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.. If you are going to ride a bike...wear a helmet
