Two Seriously Injured in Motorcycle Crash on I-71 in Wayne County
WAYNE COUNTY, OH — Two Indiana residents suffered serious injuries Sunday evening after an apparent rear-tire failure caused a motorcycle crash on Interstate 71 in Wayne County.
The crash was reported at approximately 6:55 p.m. Sunday, August 23, near milepost 199 in the southbound lanes of I-71.
According to preliminary crash information, a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling south when it experienced an equipment failure involving its rear tire. The failure caused the operator to lose control, throwing both the driver and passenger from the motorcycle.
The driver was identified as 52-year-old Danny Hughart of Kokomo, Indiana. His passenger was identified as 53-year-old Tamie Hughart, also of Kokomo.
Troopers said the operator wasn’t wearing a helmet, but the passenger was. Both sustained serious injuries.
Tamie Hughart was flown by Metro Life Flight to an Akron hospital for treatment. Danny Hughart was transported by West Salem Town & Country Fire District EMS to University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland.
All three southbound lanes of I-71 were closed while emergency crews treated the injured riders and Metro Life Flight landed on the interstate. The highway remained closed for approximately one hour.
No citations have been issued. Authorities said the crash remains under investigation.
