Two Killed in Motorcycle Crash at Holmes County Intersection
RIPLEY TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a double fatal crash involving a motorcycle that happened Saturday afternoon at the intersection of State Route 226 and County Road 51 in Holmes County.
According to troopers from the Wooster Highway Patrol Post, the crash was reported at approximately 3:33 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
The preliminary investigation shows a gray 2015 Chrysler Town & Country, driven by 18-year-old Amara J. Higgs of Norton, was traveling southbound on County Road 149. At the same time, a gray 2024 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound on State Route 226.
Troopers said the Chrysler failed to yield the right of way from a stop sign and entered the intersection to continue southbound onto County Road 51. The Chrysler struck the motorcycle in the eastbound lane of State Route 226.
The impact caused the motorcycle to travel off the right side of the roadway and into a yard, where it rolled onto its left side. Both the driver and passenger were thrown from the motorcycle.
The motorcycle operator, 54-year-old Mark C. Sweany of Massillon, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His passenger, 52-year-old Michelle M. Sweany of Massillon, was flown by MedFlight to Summa Health in Akron with critical injuries. She later died from her injuries at the hospital.
Higgs was not injured in the crash. A juvenile passenger in the Chrysler Town & Country was also not injured.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Shreve Police Department, Western Holmes Fire & EMS, MedFlight, the Holmes County Coroner’s Office and Rigz Towing.
