One dead after collision between motorcycle and truck on highway in Columbus, Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man is dead in a motorcycle crash that occurred off a freeway near downtown Columbus late Thursday night.

According to Columbus Police, a man was driving a 1998 Harley Davidson Electra Gilde westbound on Interstate 70 approaching I-71 and State Route 315 in Franklinton. The man lost control of the motorcycle, which went off the left side of the road and into the ravine area between I-70 West and the exits to I-71 South and SR 315 North.

At 10:48 p.m., the driver and motorcycle crashed into the rear of a construction vehicle parked in the ravine, according to police. The man, identified as 29-year-old Russel Parsley, was taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead at 11:23 p.m.

The Columbus Police Department’s AIU responded and launched an investigation, but it is still unclear why and how Parsley lost control of his motorcycle.

Police said two people were in the van, which was parked in the ravine, but there were no witnesses at the scene when police arrived. The truck was waiting to close a westbound lane of I-70 and was surrounded by orange construction bins.

The interstate was closed near West Mount Street and interchanges, and westbound traffic on I-70 was diverted to I-71 South for several hours. As of 3:15 a.m., all lanes and exit ramps were reopened.

Anyone with knowledge of the accident is asked to contact the Accident Investigation Unit at (614) 645-4767. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-8477.