Authorities continue probe of fatal motorcross accident
WAYNESBURG – The Greene County sheriff’s office and state police are reviewing a videotape of the motocross accident that killed a New Freeport man Saturday evening. County Coroner Greg Rohanna updated the county commissioners Wednesday about the investigation surrounding the death of 18-year-old Mark Alan Stephens during a motocross event at the Greene County Fairgrounds.
Stephens was killed when a rider fell in front of him during a 125cc B class event and Stephens fell while attempting to avoid the rider. A motorcycle landed on top Stephens and crushed him when its rider became airborne.
Based on his review of the event, Rohanna said he could find no safety issues or safety concerns at the fairgrounds, and he permitted racing to continue after the incident. He said Stephens’ death was caused by blunt force trauma from a crushing injury, which he said is out of the ordinary at events like the one held Saturday.
“It’s not uncommon to have accidents and see injuries at races, but it was unusual to see something like this,” he said. “Medical personnel were already at the scene, and there was an immediate response.”
Rohanna said he did not see anything wrong done by medical personnel on hand or by members of the Mason-Dixon Riders Association, which sponsored the event.
“This was truly an accident,” Rohanna said.
Sheriff Richard Ketchem said three bikes were involved in the accident.
He said he has reviewed the tape, which was shot by a spectator from West Virginia during the races, but he asked others in attendance that may have videotaped the event to call his office at 724-627-7207 or state police at Waynesburg at 724-627-6151.
County Commissioner Farley Toothman said the commissioners recognize the importance of investigating the incident completely and will provide an administrative response once the inquiry has finished.
“This was a tragic accident, and there was no one to blame, so to speak,” he said. “We agree that we have a responsibility to the family and the public to make sure that the races we have there are as safe as the design allows.”
Toothman said Stephens’ family asked that races continue Saturday night and have been quoted as saying Mark died doing something he loved. He said the county recreation department is working on safety training to make accidents like the one that occurred Saturday less likely to happen again.
“We will continue our joint investigation, and we recognize, as parents, that this is a tragedy for this family,” he said.
A funeral service for Stephens was held Wednesday morning.
The American Motorcycle Association sanctioned the event, and another is scheduled for the fairgrounds for Feb. 22 and 23.
Police have announced that charges will not be filed in this case. The identity of the driver whose vehicle struck Stephens still has not been released.