A two vehicle injury crash occurred at 2:50pm Wednesday on State Route 104 near milepost 11 in Ross County.
A tractor-trailer, driven by 58-year-old Neal Schwartz of Port St. Lucie, Florida, was traveling westbound from a private drive to travel southbound onto State Route 104. A motorcycle driven by 24-year-old William E. Rafferty II of Chillicothe was traveling northbound on State Route 104 when his motorcycle struck the rear of Schwartz’s trailer.
Schwartz was not injured and remained on the scene. Rafferty, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, sustained life-threatening injuries. Med-Flight responded to the scene and transported Rafferty to the OSU Wexner Medical Center.
State Route 104 was closed for approximately two hours between Eastern and Southern Avenues while the investigation was being completed.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on the scene by the Chillicothe Police Department, Chillicothe Fire and EMS, the Scioto Township Fire Department and Med-Flight.
Speed appears to be a factor in the crash which remains under investigation.