COLUMBUS, Ohio — From 2019, Franklin County ranked number one in the state with 89 fatal motorcycle crashes, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The heartbreak of losing a child to a fatal motorcycle crash will never leave the memories of Glen and Mitzi Sizemore.
Their son, 38-year-old Joshua Sizemore, was killed when he crashed his red 2009 Aprilia motorcycle at the intersection of Holt Road and Georgesville Square Drive in November 2023.
"He was my only son,” Mitzi said.
Joshua’s crash happened at an intersection with no traffic lights or traffic cameras.
Police say Joshua struck a car turning left as he was going straight.
The lead detective tells 10TV that the driver never saw the bike, and because of a lack of evidence as to who was at fault, the prosecutor chose to not take the case. 10TV also learned that the driver had an expired license and the division of police lacked an accident reconstructionist at the time because the position wasn’t filled. Since then, the division has hired someone.
“Ohio is no helmet law state, but he had a helmet on, he never rode without a helmet,” said his mother. You can read more about Ohio’s helmet law here.
Helmets are about 37% effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67% effective in preventing brain injuries, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Yet, only 17 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use by all riders. Ohio’s universal helmet law was repealed in 1978.
The federal government estimates that per mile traveled in 2021, the number of deaths on motorcycles was nearly 24 times the number in cars.
Joshua’s father says his son was an experienced rider.
“It wasn't due to not having training. He had ridden all of his life. He rode in the military,” Glen said.
Joshua was an Army veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart for his time in Afghanistan.
The type of crash that killed Joshua is one of the most common killers of bike riders nationwide.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission, in 2021 there were more than 3,000 fatal two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle. In 42% of those crashes, the other vehicles were turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing directly through an intersection or passing another vehicle.
“Almost 80% of motorcycle fatalities is a rider who never took a training or safety course,” said Judy Converse, public information officer at the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, of the 89 fatal motorcycle fatalities in Ohio from 2019-2024, 53 were the fault of the motorcyclist.
In Ohio, motorcycle training is not mandatory unless you are under the age of 18. Those 18 years or younger must not only have a valid driver's license but pass a written test from the BMV and pass a skills test in order to get a motorcycle endorsement.
10TV also learned that the average age of at-fault motorcyclists in Ohio is 37 years old.
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, 32% of all riders involved in fatal motorcycle crashes were speeding compared to 25% of car drivers.
10TV discovered that 27% of all motorcycle crashes in the Buckeye State involved alcohol or drugs. That’s an 11% increase from 2022 to 2023.
For just $75, motorcycle riders can sign up to take a training course through Motorcycle Ohio.
10TV attended a course to watch instructors show riders how to safely ride on two wheels.
“I’m starting a family and I want to know how I can do everything as safely as possible so I can get home every night,” said Anthony Panichelle, of Columbus.
As for the Sizemore’s, who are avid motorcycle riders and have been riding for the past 40 years, they have a message for riders before they hit the road.
“Everybody should be trained,” said Mitzi.
And she has a message for drivers too.
“Look twice, wait that extra second,” she said
You can find more information about motorcycle training here.