Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

For Immediate Release… October 10, 2011 (Monday)

Friday Night Motorcycle Crash has Resulted in Fatality

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones reports that a Friday night single vehicle motorcycle crash in Madison Township has resulted in the fatality of the passenger. Deputies and emergency personnel responded to the crash on Trenton-Franklin Road just north of the intersection with State Route 122 shortly before 6:30 pm on Friday.

The preliminary report indicates that Richard Cockerham, age 48, of Franklin was travelling northbound on Trenton-Franklin operating a 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle. He lost control of the vehicle, travelling left of center and into the guardrail of the southbound lane. He and his passenger, Melinda Hipsher, age 35, also of Franklin, were thrown from the vehicle. Neither was wearing a helmet. Both victims were flown from the scene by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital. Hipsher succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital early Saturday morning. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office and the Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team (S.T.A.R.T.) continue to investigate the crash. Charges have not yet been filed.

Prepared by: Sgt. Monte Mayer
Public Information Officer
Operations Support