Devin Totherow Killed in Braceville Motorcycle Accident
The Leavittsburg resident died after a westbound vehicle turned into his path on State Route 5
Devin Totherow, 25, of Leavittsburg, was killed in a motorcycle crash on State Route 5 near State Route 82 in Braceville on Friday, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
A westbound 2001 Ford Mustang driven by a juvenile attempted to turn left into a private parking lot, crossing the center line into the eastbound lanes and directly into the path of the 2011 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide driven by Totherow. The impact threw Totherow from the motorcycle. He was rushed by EMT Ambulance to St. Joseph Warren Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Braceville Fire and EMS, Allen's Towing, and Harshman's Towing assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
TxDOT reported 483 motorcyclists killed in 2020 and 413 in 2019, with annual totals rising in subsequent years to reach several hundred deaths each year through 2023.
Left-turn collisions remain a leading cause of motorcycle death, often occurring when drivers fail to accurately judge the speed and distance of approaching riders. When a vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic to enter a private lot, it creates an immediate hazard that leaves riders with little time to react or evade the impact.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Vehicle movements leading up to a fatal motorcycle crash, especially a left turn across oncoming traffic, deserve close scrutiny during any serious intersection investigation. Speed, braking distance, and turning angle factor into understanding how two paths converged at exactly the wrong moment."
"Legal counsel examines the movements, working alongside reconstruction experts to protect a family's interests during an uncertain time," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
For families navigating the aftermath of a sudden loss, independent investigations often uncover critical details about right-of-way violations, driver distraction, and negligence.
Ohio wrongful death statute
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.01, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Ohio applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Insurance carriers routinely launch their own investigations to minimize financial responsibility after severe accidents happen. Critical evidence can be overlooked if families rely entirely on insurance findings," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Serving as an advocate, an attorney protects family interests by securing vehicle black box data, interviewing witnesses, and demanding full policy transparency from adjusters."