A tragic motorcycle crash in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, claimed the life of a woman and left a man seriously injured on Sunday evening. The accident happened around 8 p.m. on U.S. Route 250 near mile marker 13 in Goshen Township. Authorities say the motorcycle, a blue 2003 Harley Davidson, was pulling a camper trailer when the trailer began to sway. This caused the driver to lose control, leading to a deadly crash.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the motorcycle overturned and slid off the right side of the road. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but 44-year-old Jill L. Morris of Uhrichsville, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, 47-year-old Keith A. Morris, also from Uhrichsville, suffered life-threatening injuries. He was first taken to Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital and later flown to Akron General Hospital for further treatment.
Neither Jill nor Keith was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, officials confirmed. Although Ohio law does not require helmets for riders over 18, safety experts say helmets greatly reduce the risk of death in motorcycle crashes. Investigators believe the instability of the trailer played a major role in the accident. Towing trailers with motorcycles is known to be risky, especially if the trailer is not properly loaded or secured.
The crash site was closed for several hours Sunday night as troopers examined the scene and gathered evidence. The damaged motorcycle and trailer were removed from the roadside. Authorities are continuing to investigate whether other factors—such as speed, road conditions, or mechanical failure—may have contributed to the incident.
This deadly crash has renewed concern about motorcycle safety in Ohio. The Ohio State Highway Patrol urges all riders to wear helmets, check their equipment, and be extra careful when pulling trailers. A trailer can change how a motorcycle handles, making it more difficult to control—especially at high speeds or in windy conditions. Proper training and preparation are essential.
Jill Morris is being remembered by family and friends as a joyful person who loved the outdoors and motorcycle riding. Her death has deeply saddened the Uhrichsville community. As Keith continues to recover, loved ones and investigators alike hope that lessons from this tragedy will help prevent similar accidents in the future.