**UPDATE** On August 6, 2024, Mr. Wetzel succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Grant Medical Center.
MARION COUNTY, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Marion Post is currently investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on August 5, 2024, at around 2:09 PM on US23. The crash involved three vehicles: a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia semi-tractor trailer driven by Abdulkhalif Mohamed Warsame, 40, of Gahanna, Ohio; a 2011 Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra motorcycle driven by James P. Wetzel, 79, of Marion, Ohio; and a 2019 Ford Taurus driven by Jonathan T. Cathers, 44, of Oregon, Ohio.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Mr. Warsame and Mr. Wetzel were both traveling northbound on US23 in the right lane, while Mr. Cathers was in the left lane. Mr. Wetzel slowed down to make a right turn onto Linn Hipsher Rd. (CR195), prompting Mr. Warsame to swerve to the right, leading to a collision with Mr. Wetzel’s motorcycle. Mr. Warsame’s truck then veered off the road, hitting a stop sign and coming to a stop in a ditch. Mr. Cathers’ vehicle also sustained damage from the debris.
Mr. Wetzel suffered serious injuries and was taken from the scene by Salt Rock EMS to Marion General Hospital before being airlifted to Grant Medical Center for further treatment. Mr. Warsame and Mr. Cathers did not sustain any injuries in the crash.
In addition to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Salt Rock Fire and EMS, Marion Township EMS, Ohio Department of Transportation, Liverpool Towing, and Kirby’s Towing all provided assistance at the scene of the crash. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.