The 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle pictured above was found at the scene of a motorcycle crash in the 26000 block of Route 31 early Saturday morning. The driver of the motorcycle, David P. Winkle Jr., 39, of Kenton was pronounced dead at the scene. (Photo submitted)
In two separate motorcycle crashes over the weekend, a Kenton man was killed and a Plain City man and woman were transported by helicopter from the scene.
David P. Winkle Jr., 39, was pronounced dead at the scene of a motorcycle crash in the 26000 block of Route 31.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding the accident at 4:39 a.m. Saturday.
According to reports from UCSO, deputies and units from the Northwestern Fire District and the Northern Union County Fire and EMS District found Winkle Jr. in the roadway and a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle next to the road.
Winkle Jr. was reportedly driving northbound on Route 31 when he lost control and drove off the right side of the road and struck a mailbox, according to a preliminary investigation from UCSO.
After striking the mailbox, Winkle Jr. then struck a guardrail. He was ejected from the motorcycle, which then struck a guardrail on the west side of the road and slid back across the road before coming to rest in the northbound lane.
Winkle Jr. was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
“At this time, investigators suspect alcohol may have been a factor in the crash,” according to a report from UCSO.
Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Union County Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Union County Coroner’s Office.
The crash remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating another crash involving a car and motorcycle that occurred Sunday morning.
Troopers responded to the scene of a crash on U.S. 33 near mile post 13 at 12:39 a.m. Sunday.
Reports indicate Rodney McGough, 50, of Plain City was driving a 2012 Honda motorcycle eastbound on U.S. 33. His wife, Jennifer McGough, 51, also of Plain City, was a passenger on the motorcycle.
Zeina Mahmoud, 36, of Marysville was traveling westbound on U.S. 33 in a 2011 Toyota at the same time.
Mahmoud reportedly lost control of her vehicle and crossed through the median into the eastbound lanes of travel and struck McGough.
Rodney and Jennifer McGough were transported from the scene by MedFlight to OSU Medical Center for their injuries.
Lieutenant Shawn Cook said both experienced “serious injuries.”
According to OSHP reports, the riders of the motorcycle were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor. Mahmoud was wearing a seatbelt and did not have any passengers in her vehicle.
Mahmoud was cited for failure to control.
OSHP was assisted at the scene by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Marysville Police Department, Marysville Fire Department and American Towing.