Motorcyclist dies in SR 9 crash

The New Philadelphia Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Carroll County man.

According to Sgt. Gary Wolfe, the crash occurred Saturday, Oct. 3, at 4:10 p.m. on SR 9 south of Arbor Rd.

Brian Starkey, 42, of Carrollton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wolfe said Starkey, who was driving a 2005 Harley Davidson motorcycle, was northbound on SR 9 with three other motorcycles.

Starkey was “overtaking” the northbound motorcycles. As he returned to the northbound lane, his motorcycle struck the left side a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by a Salineville resident. The 2001 Harley overturned and was struck by a 2019 Harley Davidson driven by a Salem resident. The 2001 Harley slid off the roadway and into a ditch.

Starkey’s motorcycle then went left of center and struck a 2000 F-350 pickup pulling a flatbed trailer, driven by a Carrollton resident. Starkey’s motorcycle went off the right side of the roadway and caught fire. A fifth motorcycle, a 2005 Harley, was slowing when it overturned.

Both the driver and a passenger from Salineville were transported to Aultman Hospital. The driver of the truck and the other motorcycle drivers were not injured.  None of the motorcycle drivers or passengers were wearing helmets. The driver of the truck was wearing a seat belt.

Carrollton Village and Augusta Volunteer fire departments assisted at the scene along with sheriff deputies, county coroner’s office, R&M Towing, Keith’s Towing and the Ohio Dept. of Transportation.

The motorcycle group was part of a poker run raising funds for a local cancer victim.

 The crash remains under investigation.