A 68-year-old Middletown man was killed Saturday after his motorcycle crashed on a Clark County interstate ramp, according to troopers. Robert Depew lost control on a curve of the ramp from I‑70 east to I‑675 south in Mad River Township, causing the bike to overturn. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Crews were called to the ramp around 2:45 p.m., and troopers told reporters the motorcycle went off the left side of the roadway before overturning. Emergency crews briefly shut down the ramp while they worked the scene, according to WKRC Local 12. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is handling the investigation and has not released information on contributing factors.
Crash Site
The wreck happened on the ramp that carries traffic from I‑70 eastbound onto I‑675 southbound just outside Springfield. Mapping for Clark County from the Ohio Department of Transportation highlights clusters of crashes along I‑70 and near the I‑675 interchange.
Crash Trends
Data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol shows Clark County recorded 18 fatal crashes in 2023, with two listed as motorcycle-related. Motorcycle-related fatal crashes varied across 2021–2023. Those figures come from the patrol’s Clark County fatal crash report, which tracks yearly fatal-crash trends in the county.
Investigation
Troopers from the Springfield post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating and have not yet said whether speed, impairment or weather were factors. As reported by WKRC Local 12, anyone with information is asked to contact the patrol.
Troopers identified the rider as Robert Depew of Middletown. Authorities have not released details about family notifications or funeral arrangements.
