Police accident report clearly illustrates cause of most common motorcycle/car crashes

Unless you’ve been in an accident you’ve probably never seen an official Ohio Highway Patrol Accident Report. The members of the Betras Kopp legal team study hundreds of them every year.

We’re sharing this OHP report about a wreck involving a motorcycle and two cars that occurred on May 10, 2025 in North Lima because it clearly illustrates what causes one of the most common types of motorcycle wrecks. The report’s narrative and drawing tells the story:

NARRATIVE

Unit 1 was traveling northbound on SR 7 in the left turn lane. Unit 2 was southbound on SR 7 in the left lane. Unit 3 was northbound on SR 7 in the left lane. Unit 1 turned west into the path of Unit 2 and was struck by Unit 2. The operator of Unit 2 was ejected onto the road into the path of Unit 3 and was struck by Unit 3

Unit 2 was a Honda motorcycle ridden by 24-year-old Josh Jetomo of Boardman. He sustained serious injuries in the crash. He was life-flighted to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown and was in critical condition.

Unit 1 was a Silverado pickup truck driven by Ralph Ridgeway. Unit 3 was a Subaru Forester operated by Sarah Guthrie.

We’ve posted safety tips for car and truck drivers on our website and social media channels in conjunction with our observance of  Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Today, we’re linking to a fascinating video produced by a motorcyclist who shares advice bikers can use to avoid or prevent the most common accidents in real-time as he rides. The video opens with his take on how to avoid the danger caused by drivers who make left turns in front of riders.

You can watch here: https://youtu.be/qRsCbWI5SAo?si=emOEMLcBAKHIwc6J   We urge you to take a look at the video and we’ll focus on other parts of this fascinating and important presentation as Motorcycle Safety Month rolls on.