2 Sycamore teens killed as ATV, pickup collide

12/25/2004

SYCAMORE, Ohio - Two teens died yesterday while riding in an inflated inner tube towed by an all-terrain vehicle.

The ATV and a pickup collided on State Rt. 231 at Wyandot County Road 39 in Sycamore Township, about 3 1/2 miles southeast of here, Wyandot County sheriff's deputies said.

Kyle A. Griffin, 16, and Matthew Beach, 15, both of Sycamore, were pronounced dead at the scene of the 11 a.m. accident, sheriff's deputies said.

Steven Beach, 13, Matthew's brother, was driving the ATV west on County Road 39, towing the inner tube at the end of a 20-foot rope, and failed to stop for a stop sign at Route 231. It drove into the path of a pickup that was southbound on the state route, and the two vehicles collided, with the pickup ending up atop the tube riders.

Steven Beach and Mark Davidson, 67, also of Sycamore, the driver of the pickup, were not hurt, deputies said.