Marion Man Injured in Marion County Crash

A Marion man was seriously injured in a crash that occurred on US 23 in Marion County Monday afternoon.

According to a release from the Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, 79-year-old James Wetzel was operating a Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra motorcycle north on 23 and from the right lane, he slowed to make a right turn onto County Road 195.

A semi behind him, which was being operated by 40-year-old Abdulkhalif Warsame, of Gahanna, swerved to the right, traveled onto the paved berm and struck the motorcycle.

A third vehicle being operated by 44-year-old Jonathan Cathers, of Oregon, Ohio, struck debris from the crash.

Wetzel was taken to Marion General Hospital and was later flown to Grant Medical Center in Columbus.

Warsame and Cathers were not injured.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Salt Rock Fire and EMS, Marion Township EMS, Ohio Department of Transportation, Liverpool Towing and Kirby’s Towing.  

The crash remains under investigation.