SHERRODSVILLE, Carroll County, Ohio, Oct. 9, 2026 — A 70-year-old motorcyclist died on Thursday afternoon, October 8, after his motorcycle struck a flatbed trailer on state Route 39 in Carroll County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 3:20 p.m. on Route 39 just west of Fable Road SW in Monroe Township. The rider, identified by investigators as William R. Burrows, 70, of Sherrodsville, was traveling northeast on a 2002 Honda Silver Wing motorcycle.
According to the patrol, a 2000 Ford F-750 pulling a flatbed trailer was ahead of Burrows on the same road. The truck slowed to turn right into a private driveway, and other vehicles between the truck and the motorcycle slowed as well. Troopers said Burrows then drove off the right side of the roadway and hit the right side of the trailer. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said he was not wearing a helmet.
The truck's driver, Jacky R. Locker, 46, of Dellroy, was cited for violating Ohio's commercial driver's license requirements, the patrol reported. A passenger in the truck, Kevin M. Aeling, 22, of Mineral City, was not hurt, and neither was Locker.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, the Dellroy Fire Department, the Carroll County Coroner's Office and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The crash remains under investigation.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk When a Motorcycle Meets a Slow-Moving Vehicle
Riders who come up behind vehicles that are braking or turning face a narrow window to react, and older riders usually bear the worst outcomes when something goes wrong. Age affects reaction time and also affects how well a body withstands a crash, which is part of why riders in their 60s and 70s are overrepresented in fatal motorcycle crash statistics even though they make up a smaller share of riders overall.
Helmet use remains one of the clearest dividing lines in survival. Riders without one face a much higher chance of fatal head injury in even moderate-speed crashes, and licensing status plays a role too.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 34 percent of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes had no valid motorcycle license in 2023. That figure points to a gap in training and endorsement among riders who are hurt or killed, not just a gap in enforcement.
Rural two-lane highways like many in Carroll County add another layer of exposure. Traffic moves fast, shoulders are narrow, and slow-moving farm or work vehicles share the road with motorcycles traveling well above their speed, compressing the time a rider has to notice and respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do turning or slowing vehicles ahead cause motorcycle crashes?
When a vehicle in front slows or turns, following drivers usually brake in response, but a motorcycle's smaller profile and higher closing speed can leave a rider less time to react than a driver in a car would have.
What can other drivers do to watch for motorcycles?
Checking mirrors before slowing, signaling turns early, and giving extra following distance to riders behind can help close the gap in reaction time between vehicles of very different sizes.
What should a rider do immediately after a motorcycle crash?
Call 911, stay as still as possible if hurt, and avoid removing a helmet unless breathing is blocked, since movement can worsen neck or spine injuries.
Are motorcycle crashes more common at intersections?
Intersections and driveway turns account for a large share of motorcycle collisions because they require other drivers to judge a motorcycle's speed and distance, which is harder to do than with a car or truck.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Sherrodsville, Ohio
If you witness or are involved in a motorcycle crash, call 911 right away and avoid moving an injured rider unless there is immediate danger. Even riders who feel uninjured after a crash should be checked by a medical provider, since adrenaline can mask the first signs of a concussion or internal injury.
Get the names and contact information of any witnesses before they leave the scene, and request a copy of the official crash report once it's filed. If you're a passenger or involved driver, write down what you remember while it's fresh, including vehicle positions and what each driver did in the moments before impact.
