Eighteen people were killed in traffic crashes across Ohio during the July Fourth holiday travel period, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The reporting period began at midnight Thursday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5. Among the fatalities was a motorcyclist killed in neighboring Preble County. Troopers say 39-year-old Douglas Miller of Gettysburg was riding a 2003 Honda Silverwing north on State Route 726 in Washington Township Saturday afternoon when he lost control of the motorcycle. The bike traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch and then a utility pole. Miller was taken to Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana, with life-threatening injuries but later died Saturday evening. The crash remains under investigation.

Statewide, the Highway Patrol says safety belts were available in eight of the fatal crashes, but three of those victims were not wearing them. Five of the fatal crashes involved motorcycles, and three of those riders were not wearing helmets. During the four-day holiday enforcement period, troopers investigated 575 crashes, issued 1,722 distracted driving citations, cited 2,195 motorists for seat belt violations, and removed 387 impaired drivers from Ohio roadways. The Highway Patrol reminds motorists to report suspected impaired or reckless drivers by dialing #677.

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