Girard man in critical care after motorcycle crash

Girard man in critical care after motorcycle crash

LIBERTY

Two Trumbull County motorcyclists were injured, one of them critically, in an accident Wednesday night on Mount Everett Road.

Steven M. Merrell, 53, of Girard, was ejected onto the roadway in the 8:38 p.m. crash. Merrell, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center, where he was listed Thursday morning in critical condition.

Merrell was westbound on a 2007 Honda 1800 motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a curve and drove off of the right side of the road, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

Matthew T. Benson, 35, of Hubbard also was westbound behind Merrell on a 2006 Victory Freedom V-Twin motorcycle. Benson, who was wearing a helmet, lost control and slid off of the right side of the road. He suffered minor injuries. The highway patrol continues to investigate. Speed and alcohol appear to be a factor, the patrol said.