Kathleen Kostka and Joseph Kostka Motorcycle Accident Canton, Ohio: 66-year-old man dies after Tuesday head-on crash in New Franklin.
Early on Tuesday afternoon in New Franklin in southern Summit County, a 66-year-old man from East Canton was killed when the motorbike he was operating was struck head-on, according to investigators.
The accident occurred at about 12:24 p.m. on state Route 93, just south of Swigart Road, and Joseph Kostka was transported to Akron General Cleveland Clinic where he later passed away. A passenger on the motorbike, his wife Kathleen Kostka, suffered critical injuries.
According to the highway patrol, the collision happened when Robert B. Takacs, 65, of New Franklin, was operating a southbound 2008 Chevrolet Silverado pickup when he crossed the centre line to avoid a southbound 2017 Chevrolet Silverado that had paused for traffic ahead.
Takacs veered to the left of the centre and collided into Kostka’s 2010 Harley-Davidson. On Route 93, the motorcyclist was travelling north. Takacs sideswiped the 2017 Silverado after making contact with the motorcycle.
According to the highway patrol, the Kostkas were flung from the motorbike and suffered significant injuries. They were taken to local hospitals by the New Franklin Fire Department.
As of Wednesday noon, Kathleen Kostka, 66, was a serious patient in the hospital. Helmets were worn by both riders.
Takacs suffered no harm. Investigators found that he wasn’t using a seatbelt.
Officers from the New Franklin police and fire departments as well as the Coventry Township Fire Department provided assistance to the highway patrol.
Drugs and alcohol are not thought to have played a role in the collision, which is still under investigation.
