2 Killed In Motorcycle Accident On I-77 In Independence

INDEPENDENCE, OH — Two people were killed in a fatal motorcycle crash at the I-77 and I-480 interchange on Tuesday night. The accident is still under investigation, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said on Wednesday morning.

Both people were riding the same 2012 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle when it slid off the I-77 north ramp and hit a yield sign. The bike flipped and rolled over the I-480 east and I-77 north ramps. The motorcycle finally came to a rest on the grass median that separates the I-77 north lanes, the Highway Patrol said.

Peter Nero, 22, of Sagamore Hills, and Shelby Novak, 19, of Macedonia, were both killed in the crash. Nero was driving the Ninja, Novak was the passenger. Both Nero and Novak were thrown from the motorcycle. They were both wearing helmets and protective gear.

Nero was declared dead on the scene, the Highway Patrol said. Novak was rushed to MetroHealth Medical Center but later died of her injuries.

While the crash is still under investigation, the Highway Patrol said it believes high speed played a part in the accident.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Photo from Renee Schiavone, Patch