INFORMATION RELEASED ON CRASH

“Witnesses stated the motorcyclist accelerated to a high rate of speed as he traveled southbound in the inside lane.”

Amherst – Police have released the name of the victim who was killed in a car verses motorcycle crash on Leavitt Road in Amherst Sunday morning.

According to Lieutenant Joseph Kucirek of the Amherst Police Department, 40-year-old Robert S. Gonzalez of Lorain was traveling south on Leavitt on a 2007 Suzuki at the time of the crash. The driver of the 2003 Caviler, 18-year-old Erica L. Steele of Amherst, was heading west on Walnut.

“Witnesses stated the motorcyclist was stopped southbound for the traffic light at Leavitt Road and Cleveland Ave. When the light turned green, witnesses stated the motorcyclist accelerated to a high rate of speed as he traveled southbound in the inside lane.”

Kucirek said that Steele had stopped at the stop sign on Walnut and was in the process of making a left-hand turn to go northbound on Leavitt Road. “As the driver of the vehicle made the left hand turn, the motorcyclist struck the drivers side fender of the vehicle, ejecting the motorcyclist.”

Gonzalez was treated on the scene – first by a Good Samaritan who began CPR and then by Firefighters and Paramedics. Gonzalez was transported to Amherst Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Steele was transported to Community Health Partners Emergency Room where she was treated and released.

Police describe damage to the motorcycle as “significant” and damage to the Cavalier as “moderate.” Police towed both vehicles for additional processing.

Kucirek said that the investigation into the crash is on going and no additional information is being released at this time.


PHOTO GALLERY
TMC NEWS PHOTOS / BRIAN WOODS