Defiance man dies in MC-tractor crash

VW independent/submitted information

OAKWOOD — A Defiance man was killed Saturday afternoon in a collision between a motorcycle and a lawn tractor in Paulding County.

According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lynn A. Wickerham, 68, received fatal injuries in the crash, which occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, and was pronounced dead at the scene by Paulding County Coroner Dr. Joseph M. Kuhn. Schaffer Funeral Home of Defiance took Wickerham’s body from the scene.

Investigating troopers said that a 2003 Honda CBR motorcycle, operated by Travis R. Urbina, 34, also of Defiance, was traveling south on Paulding County Road 209 at the time of the crash, while Wickerham was operating a John Deere garden tractor, also headed south on the shoulder of the roadway. As Urbina approached the garden tractor, the tractor suddenly turned left onto the roadway and was struck on the left side by Urbina’s motorcycle, throwing both men from their vehicles.

Urbina, who was not wearing a helmet, received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Defiance Regional Hospital by the Oakwood EMS squad. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage and were towed from the scene by Integrity Auto Body of Defiance.

The Patrol was also assisted at the scene by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and Auglaize Township Fire Department.