A late-night ride on U.S. Route 50 in Stonelick Township turned deadly yesterday when a Harley-Davidson left the roadway and overturned, killing a Batavia man and seriously injuring a woman riding with him. The rider was pronounced dead at the scene, and the 41-year-old passenger was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. A stretch of U.S. 50 between Sherilyn Drive and State Route 222 was closed for several hours while emergency crews worked the crash scene.
Crash and Road Closure
According to an 11:02 p.m. Facebook post by the Stonelick Township Fire Department, U.S. 50 was shut down between Sherilyn Drive and State Route 222, and officials warned the closure could last several hours. The post served as the first official alert to motorists as fire, EMS and law-enforcement crews rushed to the scene.
Victim Identified
Authorities later identified the rider as 47-year-old Robert Dinka of Batavia and said he was operating a 2015 Harley-Davidson Street Glide with a 41-year-old female passenger, as reported by Local 12. The motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, went off the roadway, struck a ditch, and overturned. Dinka was pronounced dead at the scene, and the passenger was transported to an area hospital. The crash remains under investigation.
County Crash Context
Ohio State Highway Patrol data show motorcycle-related fatal crashes have already occurred in Clermont County this year. The patrol's county fact sheet lists two motorcycle-related fatal crashes through May 26. In April, a similar U.S. 50 wreck in April resulted in a rider's death, underscoring repeated incidents on the corridor.
Investigation and Next Steps
Troopers and local investigators have not released additional details about potential contributing factors such as speed or impairment. The crash remains under investigation, and officials have not yet provided further information about the passenger's condition or what comes next, according to Local 12.
