Man killed in motorcycle crash after police pursuit

WEST INDEPENDENCE — A Sylvania man was killed Sunday when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle on U.S. 224 near West Independence. At approximately 4:30 p.m., Findlay police attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the motorcycle at West Crawford and South West streets in Findlay for failure to display a license plate. The motorcycle, driven by Justin Eckhart, 42, failed to comply with the stop. Officers initiated a pursuit of the vehicle which continued southbound on Liberty Street, then westbound on Lima Avenue to northbound Interstate 75 and then eastbound at County Road 99 to County Road 236, with speeds up to 150 mph. A Findlay Police Department release states officers lost sight of the vehicle near Ohio 12. At approximately 4:45 p.m., police were notified Eckhart had been involved in a crash. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office reported that Eckhart was eastbound on U.S. 224 around 4:45 p.m. when he tried to pass multiple vehicles near Biglick Township Road 259. As he was passing the other vehicles, his 2005 Honda motorcycle collided with an eastbound 2016 Chrysler minivan that was turning north onto Township Road 259. The minivan was being driven by Mary Taylor, 77, of Fostoria. Eckhart was pronounced dead at the scene. Taylor and her passenger, David Taylor, 79, also of Fostoria, were both treated at the scene for minor injuries. Assisting at the scene were members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Findlay Police, HANCO EMS, Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department, Dick's Towing and Reinhart's Auto Body.