MANSFIELD – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating an injury crash that occurred on IR 71 southbound, near milepost 170 in Washington Township, Richland County. The crash occurred on October 17 around 5:44 PM. A 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle attempted to pass a vehicle using the left berm. The Harley Davidson struck a parked 2008 Honda Civic on the left berm which was assisting another disabled motorist. The Harley Davidson then struck a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta traveling in the left lane. The Harley Davidson overturned ejecting both the driver and passenger from the motorcycle. The Harley Davidson continued on and struck the median cable rail before coming to rest.
The driver of the 2000 Harley Davidson, Taylor Harasti, age 26, of Elyria, Ohio, suffered serious injuries in the crash. The passenger, Bianca Foy, age 27, of Elyria, Ohio, also suffered serious injuries. Mr. Harasti and Ms. Foy were both transported by Washington Township Fire to Ohio Health Mansfield for treatment. The driver of the 2008 Honda Civic was out of the vehicle at the time of the crash. Three passengers were in the Honda Civic at the time of the crash: Jocelyn. A. Colon, age 26, of Cleveland, Ohio, Makayla J. Giauque, age 19, of Millersburg, Ohio, and Ava L. Rogers, age 4, of Columbus, Ohio, were not injured. The driver of the Volkswagen Jetta, Kyle Smallwood, age 28, of Lisbon, Ohio, and his passenger, Erin M. Walters, age 22, of Minerva, Ohio, were not injured in the crash. Mr. Harasti and Ms. Foy were both wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Washington Township Fire and EMS, Troy Township Fire and EMS, Westside Towing, and Abers Towing responded to the scene and assisted. Two lanes of Interstate 71 were closed for about one hour during the investigation.
The crash remains under investigation.