A Massillon man and woman died after a motorcycle crash Saturday afternoon in Holmes County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred at about 3:33 p.m. June 13 at the intersection of state Route 226 and County Road 51 in Ripley Township.
Investigators said a 2015 Chrysler Town & Country was traveling south on County Road 149 and attempted to continue south onto County Road 51. The driver allegedly failed to yield at a stop sign before entering the intersection with state Route 226.
The minivan collided with a 2024 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was traveling east on Route 226, troopers said.
According to the patrol, the impact forced the motorcycle off the right side of the roadway and into a yard. The motorcycle overturned, throwing both occupants from the vehicle.
The motorcycle’s driver, 54-year-old Mark C. Sweany of Massillon, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His passenger, 52-year-old Michelle M. Sweany, also of Massillon, suffered critical injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to Summa Health in Akron. Authorities said she later died from her injuries.
The driver of the Chrysler, 18-year-old Amara J. Higgs of Norton, was not injured. A juvenile passenger riding in the minivan also escaped injury.
The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Shreve Police Department, Western Holmes Fire & EMS, MedFlight, the Holmes County Coroner’s Office and Rigz Towing.
