Lorain cyclist killed in Amherst crash Sunday

by JOHN LASKO

News-Times reporter

Officers with the Amherst Police Department are currently investigating a crash which left one man dead and another woman injured.

On Sunday, June 21, at around 11:52 a.m., dispatch received several calls from both residents and passing motorists about a car accident involving a motorcycle which had taken place at the intersection of Leavitt Road and Walnut Drive.

Witnesses described for officers the chain of events which happened just minutes before the fatal crash occurred.

According to Amherst Police Department lieutenant Joseph Kucirek, a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle driven by 40-year-old Robert S. Gonzalez of Lorain, was traveling southbound in the left lane on Leavitt Road.

After the traffic signal at the intersection of Cleveland Avenue had turned green, witnesses stated Gonzalez accelerated down the roadway at a high rate of speed.

Meanwhile, a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 18-year-old Erica Steele of Amherst was stopped at the stop sign waiting to turn left from Walnut on to Leavitt.

"As Steele made the left hand turn, Gonzalez struck the drivers side fender of her vehicle, ejecting him from the motorcycle," Amherst Police Department lieutenant Joe Kucirek said.

Gonzalez was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. LifeCare paramedics transported him to Amherst Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

According to Lorain County coroner Dr. Paul Matus, Gonzalez died as a result of a skull fracture.

Steele suffered minor injuries as a result of the accident and was transported to Community Health Partners in Lorain where she was treated and released.

"The motorcycle suffered significant damage and the vehicle suffered moderate damage," Kucirek said. "Both vehicles were towed and secured for further processing."

The accident remains under investigation.