Recordpub.com - 2 still in serious condition Motorcyclists in S.R. 5 crash

By Don Jovich

Record-Courier staff writer

Two people remain hospitalized in intensive care units after Saturday's motor vehicle accident involving an SUV and three motorcyclists with passengers.

The Ohio Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash that occurred at 4:55 p.m. in Charlestown Township on S.R. 5 east of Hanna Road.

The motorcycles were eastbound along S.R. 5 when two were struck by a westbound Saturn Vue that traveled left of center, according to the patrol.

One motorcyclist took evasive action to avoid the crash and struck another motorcyclist. Both passengers and one motorcycle driver were ejected.

Among the motorcycle drivers, David Perrine, 50, of Akron sustained serious injuries and was transported to Akron City Hospital where he was in the intensive care unit Sunday evening listed in serious condition. His passenger, Julia Hill, 26, of Akron, was transported to Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna and was either transferred or released, according to the hospital.

Another motorcycle driver, Geoffrey Davis, 50, of Akron, was transported to Robinson Memorial were he was listed in fair condition Sunday evening. His passenger, Theresa Miller, 37, of Akron, sustained serious injuries and was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown where she she was in the surgical intensive care unit Sunday evening.

The third motorcyclist, Kenneth Reese, 51 of Cuyahoga Falls, was transported to Akron City Hospital where he was listed in satisfactory condition. His passenger, Kim Mook, 40, of Akron, sustained only minor injuries and refused treatment.

The driver of the SUV, Daniel Masterson, 24, of Leavittsburg, was not injured. Officers reported his seat belt was in use and the vehicle's air bags were deployed.

Masterson was taken into custody by the Ravenna Police Department following the crash.

None of the motorcyclists were wearing helmets and alcohol was not suspected to be a factor at the time of the accident, according to patrol.

The accident remains under investigation.

17.	Posted by tara-baby July 15, 2008
	The driver of the SUV, Daniel Masterson, 24, of Leavittsburg, was not injured. Officers reported his seat belt was in use and the vehicle's air bags were deployed. Mr. Jovich, are you trying to make the driver look better? None of the motorcyclists were wearing helmets and alcohol was not suspected to be a factor at the time of the accident, according to patrol. Or, are you trying to make the bikers look like they were in the wrong? It is people like you , that are close minded, and afraid of what is unknown to them, that keep steriotypes alive. These victims, and they are victims, are friends of mine, and you will never find anyone one in your life with more heart than they have! all of them would give their all to anyone in need, even those who would look down on them. your opinion of bikers shines through with your words. open your mind, and judge the driver, not the victims! god be with my friends, everyone loves you, and are praying for you!

15.	Posted by bqwhotoo1 July 15, 2008
	Just so everyone knows my "NO HELMETS?" comment/question was not to have it appear that one iota of blame was to be placed on the bikers in this horrific accident. It was stated by myself because i can't begin to imagine the injuries sustained by the bikers in an accident such as this one when it was reported that two of the bikers were thrown over the guardrail and one bike exploded into flames after the accident. If the SUV driver was indeed on the cell phone, either talking or texting, or even dialing at this point, and is only facing 6 months in jail for causing this accident, then we need to petition the legislature to change the laws to increase the penalty for such irresponsible behavior. Again, my prayers are with the victims of this terrible accident and hope never to read of such details of another crash of this type ever again.

14.	Posted by BikerBoyzFan_inactive July 15, 2008
	i love bikers i think that they should have the right to not wear helmets & i am praying for all the victims that are in the hospitals along with their families i agree with everyone that they should ban the cellphone use while driving like they do in california if anyone needs use their cellphone they should get a hefty fine if they want to text or talk on it they should at least pull off the side of the road to talk or text. i think everyone should get a petention going to get the ban in Ohio to stop all cellphone usin while driving before there is another accident like this one.

12.	Posted by FreddywithaY July 14, 2008
	This story is not going away as word IS getting out that the Driver of the SUV told authorities that he WAS texting his girlfriend when he drove left of center. I am friends with all the victims so I say to ddavis THAT all the the bikers of Akron that know Geoff and Theresa and Dave are praying and hoping for the very best. Theresa has already lost her leg, And I am told that Dave is in Akron City's ICU with severe head trauma and his prognosis does not look good. On that note I have to agree that the helmets are not the issue here as head injuries could of happened with helmets on as well. I was the director of the local ABATE chapter, ( American Bikers Aimed Towards Education) And Lobbied State and Federal legislators to keep Ohio a helmet choice state. The Bikers of Ohio are not Anti-Helmet, We are Anti-Helmet Law. we want and enjoy that freedom of choice. The reason I bring this up is did you know that God forbid someone should die from this accident that the driver of the SUV under Ohio law faces a Maximum Jail Sentence of SIX MONTHS for Vehicular Homicide and Failure to Yield. ABATE with the help of the American Motorcycling Association have legislation introduced in the Ohio Statehouse that would severely increase the penalty for Failure to Yield to the Right of Way if it involves a fatality. you can go to http.//www.amadirectlink.com or abate.com for details. Bottom line is this a new threat to ALL motoring safety (texting while driving)) and we have to educate everyone we share the road with to PUT THE KEYBOARDS DOWN WHILE DRIVING!!!!!!

11.	Posted by djrichar July 14, 2008
	First of all my prayers are with the people injured and their families. May God send the blessings of a 1000 angels. Next I have to say I don't understand why the writer for the record courier would say the motorcyclist were not wearing helmets, but fail to mention the driver of the SUV was TEXTING ON THEIR CELL PHONE. Is that what is "under investigation", so you're unable to share that bit of information? The last thing that really irritated me in the article is that alcohol was mentioned right after saying the motorcyclist were not wearing any helmets, making it sound as if it the motorcyclist were drinking and not the driver of the SUV. I'm sorry the RC your writer needs to go back to journalism school.