Motorcyclist killed in accident in Bethlehem Township, Stark County

STARK COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating after a crash in Stark County left a motorcyclist dead and a passenger seriously injured on Sunday.

The accident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on State Route 21, near mile marker 2 in Bethlehem Township.

According to state police, a 2011 Honda CR-V traveling north on State Route 21 veered left off center and collided head-on with a 2015 Harley Davidson.

According to investigators, the Honda left the roadway and the motorcycle came to a stop on the northbound lane.

The motorcyclist, 47-year-old Rodney Kandel of Millersburg, and a 48-year-old passenger were taken to Aultman Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

According to OSHP, Kandel was later flown by medical helicopter to Akron City Hospital, where the Summit County Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead.

The 48-year-old passenger was later flown by rescue helicopter to Akron General Hospital. Her condition is currently unknown.

None of them were wearing protective gear during the accident, state police officials say.

The Honda driver, an 81-year-old woman from Navarra, was not injured.

Investigators do not believe that alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident. The accident remains under investigation.