Marion motorcyclist dies two days after crash with semi-tractor trailer

MARION, Ohio (WCMH) – A motorcyclist struck by a semi-tractor trailer in Marion County has died two days after the incident.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a man operating a 2011 Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra motorcycle was traveling northbound on U.S. 23, just north of Marion, as was a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia semi-tractor trailer.

The motorcycle, driven by 79-year-old James Wetzel, of Marion, slowed down and attempted to make a right turn onto Linn Hipsher Road, or County Road 195. The semi-tractor trailer, trailing Wetzel, swerved to the right and traveled onto the paved berm.

The truck struck Wetzel’s motorcycle, veered off the northeast side of the intersection, struck a stop sign and came to a rest in a ditch.

Wetzel sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash, which occurred on Monday at 2:09 p.m. He was transported to a Marion hospital and then flown to a Columbus hospital, where he died two days later.

The truck driver, and a third vehicle which was damaged from hitting debris in the road, were not injured in the crash, which remains under investigation by the OSHP.