DeGraff, OH (June 6, 2026) – A Sidney woman lost her life after a motorcycle collision involving a pickup truck Thursday evening on Cretcher Avenue in DeGraff. The fatal wreck was reported around 5:45 p.m. on June 4, near a gas station in the 300 block of the roadway.
According to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, 55-year-old Steven Klingler of Sidney was operating a 2023 Can-Am Spyder motorcycle with 72-year-old Carol Kinninger as a passenger. Deputies said the motorcycle struck the rear of a 2005 Ford F-250 driven by 17-year-old Caleb Shreve of Bellefontaine while the pickup was stopped and preparing to make a left turn.
Kinninger was thrown from the motorcycle and reportedly hit concrete during the crash. She was flown to Miami Valley Hospital after being taken to a nearby landing zone by Indian Lake EMS. Officials later confirmed that she died at the hospital shortly after 8 p.m. Klingler was evaluated for injuries at the roadway, and deputies issued him a citation for assured clear distance ahead.
The story is being investigated and more information will be updated as they become available.
We extend our deepest condolences to Carol Kinninger’s family and loved ones.
Why Rear-End Motorcycle Crashes Can Lead to Severe Injuries
Motorcycle crashes involving stopped vehicles can result in serious harm because riders and passengers have limited protection during sudden contact. Even when helmets are worn, being thrown from a motorcycle can lead to critical injuries after striking pavement or nearby objects.
Rear-end collisions often occur when traffic slows unexpectedly or when a rider has little time to react to a stopped vehicle ahead. Visibility, speed, following distance, and roadway distractions may all contribute to these types of crashes. Passengers are also at increased risk because they may lose balance during sudden braking or impact.
After motorcycle crashes, investigators commonly review skid marks, vehicle positioning, and witness statements to better understand how the roadway contact occurred. Damage patterns on both vehicles can also help determine braking attempts and travel direction before the collision happened.
