Police seek suspect in fatal hit-skip crash in Dayton

Dayton police are asking for the public’s help reaching a man who is believed to be involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash in the city this morning.

“Dayton Police Department Traffic Services Detectives would like to speak with Lonnie Harvson III, 60, who is suspected of being the other driver involved in a fatal motorcycle crash overnight,” read a statement from police. “The vehicle Mr. Harvson was in was damaged in the crash and he left the scene on foot.”

A 37-year-old Dayton man died following the crash at Oakridge Drive and North Gettysburg Avenue. Montgomery County Coroner Kent Harshbarger identified the man as Franklin Jones.

His cause and manner of death have not been determined at this time.

The crash was reported just after midnight Tuesday morning. A black Jeep Commander was traveling east on Oakridge Drive when it crashed into a Suzuki motorcycle heading north on North Gettysburg Avenue, according to a Dayton police crash report.

The driver of the Jeep, who police believe is Harsvon, fled the scene.

Jones, who was driving the motorcycle, was not wearing a helmet, according to the report.

Anyone with information on Harvson’s location should call Dayton police at at 937-333-COPS (2677) or Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP (7867).

Any witnesses to the crash or those with additional information, can call Detective Rizer at 937-333-1142.

We are working to learn more and will continue to update this story as more information is available.

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