The death of a local fireman riding his motorcycle to work on Sunday, May 1, 2016, is currently under investigation as police try to determine if distracted driving caused the collision.
On the day of the accident, the 31-year-old Cincinnati firefighter was riding his motorcycle to Station 12 on Spring Grove Avenue. As he headed southbound on Winton Road near Dutch Colony Drive around 6:30 a.m., his motorcycle was struck by an oncoming car driven by a 24-year-old man.
According to police, the driver, headed northbound, crossed the center of Winton Road and struck the local fireman who was then ejected from his bike and landed on the sidewalk. The motorcycle rider was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the other vehicle continued north in the southbound lanes, went off the west side of the road and struck a guardrail.
The 31-year-old firefighter worked at various stations around Cincinnati for seven years. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the victim suffered a hand injury and was treated at Good Samaritan hospital. He has not been cited for the accident, however, police are seeking the cellphone he had in the vehicle that morning. There are no signs that impairment caused the collision.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Cincinnati Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514.
Although it remains unknown if distracted driving caused the crash, the police department’s traffic unit commander notes that the department always considers this possibility after impairment has been ruled out.
According to Ohio Department of Public Safety statistics, in 2014, more than 2,400 auto accidents were attributed to drivers distracted by their phones. Another 400 collisions involved drivers distracted by texting and emailing.
It is important for all drivers to recognize the devastating impact of distracted driving. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash caused by a negligent driver, contact our skilled Cincinnati car accident attorneys. A personal injury lawyer from our law firm may be able to help you or loved ones fight for the compensation they deserve.