Randy Sheets spent Monday evening out riding his 2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide through Morrow County. The 60-year-old Centerburg resident was heading eastbound along State Route 229 just before sunset. It was an ordinary evening ride on a familiar stretch of road in the Village of Marengo.
Everything changed around 7:26 p.m. near the intersection of Seymour Street. As Sheets approached the junction, a westbound 2014 GMC Yukon attempted a left turn directly into his path. State troopers reported that the driver of the SUV failed to yield the right of way.
The heavy Harley hit the turning GMC Yukon near the intersection. The impact threw Sheets and his motorcycle left of center into the oncoming westbound lane. Seconds later, a 2015 Ford Escape trailing behind the SUV struck the fallen rider.
First responders from Morrow County EMS arrived shortly after callers reported the pileup. Emergency crews checked on Sheets right away, but his injuries were too severe. Responders pronounced the Centerburg man dead at the scene.
Investigating officers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed that Sheets was not wearing a helmet during the trip. The driver of the GMC Yukon, identified as 74-year-old Patricia Howard of Marengo, was wearing a seat belt and escaped without physical injuries.
A juvenile was behind the wheel of the Ford Escape involved in the second impact. Both the young driver and a passenger in the Ford were buckled up and escaped injury as well. Multiple local agencies, including the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office and local towing crews, stayed on scene for hours to manage traffic and document physical evidence.
Troopers from the Mount Gilead Post continue to look into all factors that contributed to the crash. Officers noted that toxicology results are pending to determine if alcohol or drugs played any role. For the community of Centerburg, the sudden loss leaves friends and family grieving a local resident whose ride ended far too soon.
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