Motorcyclist Killed in Three-Vehicle Crash on State Route 39 in Tuscarawas County

Motorcyclist Killed in Three-Vehicle Crash on State Route 39 in Tuscarawas County

A tragic motorcycle crash in Tuscarawas County on Sunday morning claimed the life of a 26-year-old Sugarcreek man, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Troopers from the New Philadelphia Post responded to the fatal collision, which occurred at approximately 10:37 a.m. on State Route 39 at County Road 77 (Prysi Road) in Sugarcreek Township. The crash involved a motorcycle and two passenger vehicles, prompting an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the deadly collision.

Authorities identified the victim as Marcus Miller, 26, of Sugarcreek, who was operating a black 2011 Kawasaki EX250 motorcycle. According to the preliminary investigation, Miller was traveling westbound on State Route 39 when a red 2016 Mazda CX-5, driven by 84-year-old Martha Egan of Dover, was traveling eastbound and attempting to make a left turn onto County Road 77.

As Egan turned left across the westbound lane, Miller’s motorcycle collided with the right side of the Mazda. The force of the impact caused the motorcycle and its rider to slide across the center line of the highway into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Investigators said Miller then struck the left front of a white 2023 Nissan Rogue, which was being driven eastbound by 49-year-old Tiffany Ervin of Coshocton. The secondary impact further intensified the severity of the crash.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but despite their efforts, Marcus Miller suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol noted that Miller was wearing a helmet and appropriate protective riding gear at the time of the crash, underscoring that even with proper safety equipment, motorcycle crashes can result in devastating injuries due to the limited protection riders have compared to occupants of passenger vehicles.

Authorities also reported that Martha Egan was wearing her seatbelt and was not injured in the collision. No injuries were reported for the driver of the Nissan Rogue.

The crash temporarily disrupted traffic along State Route 39 as emergency crews secured the scene and investigators documented evidence. Troopers worked for several hours to reconstruct the events that led to the collision.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s New Philadelphia Post continues to investigate the fatal crash. Officials have not announced whether any charges will be filed, and the investigation remains ongoing as they review all available evidence and witness statements.

The death of Marcus Miller has left family members, friends, and the Sugarcreek community mourning the loss of a young man whose life ended far too soon. The tragedy also serves as a reminder for all motorists to remain vigilant at intersections, where many serious motorcycle crashes occur, and to carefully watch for approaching motorcycles before making turns across traffic.

Anyone with additional information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s New Philadelphia Post as the investigation continues.