1 woman dead, a man critical following crash

MADISON TWP. — A Franklin man remained in critical condition Monday night following a motorcycle crash Friday evening that killed his passenger.

Sgt. Monte Mayer of Butler County Sheriff’s Office said a preliminary report indicates that at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Richard Cockerham, 48, of Franklin was traveling north on Trenton-Franklin Road near the Ohio 122 intersection when he lost control of his 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Cockerham reportedly went left of center and struck the guardrail of the southbound lane. Cockerham and passenger Melinda Hipsher, 35, of Franklin were thrown from the motorcycle. The two were not wearing helmets, according to the sheriff’s office.

They were taken to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton where Hipsher was pronounced dead early Saturday. Cockerham remains in critical condition.

Mayer said the accident remains under investigation by the Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team and the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. No charges have been filed.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or hpoturalski@coxohio.com.

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