Richard Hartnell Killed in Huron Twp Pedestrian Accident
A 56-year-old Wisconsin man died after being struck by a motorcycle and an SUV on U.S. Route 250
Richard Hartnell, 56, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was killed in a pedestrian crash on U.S. Route 250 near Fox Road in Huron Township on June 2, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
A northbound Harley-Davidson motorcycle initially struck Hartnell as he attempted to cross the highway at approximately 10:10 p.m. A Toyota RAV4 traveling in the same direction then hit him a second time, investigators said.
Paramedics pronounced Hartnell dead at the scene.
The 66-year-old motorcyclist received treatment for minor injuries at the crash site. The 35-year-old driver of the SUV was not hurt.
The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not announced any citations.
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the state recorded 151 pedestrian death in 2023.
Families navigating the sudden loss of a loved one in a multi-vehicle collision face a complex path to understanding exactly what happened. While authorities work to determine right-of-way and visibility factors on U.S. Route 250, independent investigators often conduct parallel reviews to preserve critical evidence.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Pedestrians lawfully entering an intersection carry the right of way, and that legal protection should mean something on every road in this country."
Legal counsel examines every contributing condition and fights to ensure surviving families understand the full scope of accountability available to them, added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do investigators analyze multi-vehicle pedestrian collisions?
In pedestrian accidents such as this, crash reconstructionists must carefully evaluate the sequence of events, vehicle speeds, and driver reaction times. Determining the exact point of impact and the actions of each driver is important for establishing liability under Ohio's comparative negligence laws.
"Understanding a pedestrian collision means going beyond the surface. Speed, reaction time, and impact sequence each carry significant weight when liability is contested. Surviving families deserve that full picture," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
What role does lighting play on U.S. Route 250?
Nighttime visibility is a recurring factor in pedestrian death nationwide. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, about 75 percent of pedestrian deaths happen between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., highlighting the dangers of crossing multi‑lane highways after dark.
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.