Defiance man killed in motorcycle crash

7/16/2014

DEFIANCE, Ohio -- A Defiance man was killed when a motorcycle he was driving and a sport utility vehicle collided on State Rt. 15 near this community Tuesday night, authorities said.

Gary Saylor, 58, who did not wear a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene in Defiance County’‍s Tiffin Township, according to the Van Wert post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Troopers said Mr. Saylor was driving south on Route 15 just south of of Schick Road about 9 p.m. when his motorcycle ran into the northbound SUV, which had crossed the center line, troopers said in a prepared statement released today. Brittany Bird, 18 of Ney, Ohio, the SUV driver who was not injured, was driving north on the state route when for unknown reasons her vehicle drove off the right side of the road. She then apparently over-corrected, causing the vehicle to cross the center line, according to the patrol.

Ms. Bird, who wore a seat belt, was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.

Defiance is about 55 miles southwest of Toledo.