Motorcyclist killed in crash with trailer

10/22/2007

PAYNE, Ohio - A motorcyclist was killed yesterday when his bike collided with a farm wagon being pulled by a pickup on State Rt. 114, west of State Rt. 49, in southwestern Paulding County, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

John P. Phipps, 51, of Paulding County's Benton Township, who was thrown from the motorcycle and was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers at the patrol's Van Wert post said.

Mr. Phipps, who owns Country Times Market gas station and convenience store in Antwerp, Ohio, was westbound on Route 114, south of Payne in Benton Township, just after noon, riding behind the pickup pulling a wagon full of seed wheat, troopers said.

When the pickup driver, David L. Noggle, 44, of Benton Township, turned south into a farm field where he was sowing wheat, Mr. Phipps tried to pass, but the motorcycle struck the wagon, troopers said.

Mr. Noggle was not hurt.