Friends and family remember motorcyclist killed in crash

BOARDMAN

Three days after a fatal motorcycle accident, teary-eyed friends say the death of Nicholas Stubler was tragic, but not entirely unexpected.

“He loved to go fast,” said Katie Smolskis of Canfield. “... I think everyone knew this is how it would happen.”

Stubler died less than a month after his 21st birthday when his Suzuki motorcycle hit a Cadillac driven by 69-year-old Donald Lisbon of Struthers, who had one passenger in the vehicle.

Both Lisbon and his passenger were taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center and have since been released.

Witnesses estimate that Stubler was traveling at 60 to 70 mph as he passed Handel’s Ice Cream and Regal Cinema South — more than 20 mph over the speed limit, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“He was dumb [to speed] ... but the last thing he’d want to do is hurt anyone around him or his family or friends,” Smolskis said.

“Nicholas had friends and family who truly loved him,” said Monica Emory, his sister. “Everyone who knew him admired his loyalty and his kindness ... He’ll always be in our hearts.”

Read more in Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com