Names Released in Shadyside Motorcycle Death
By SHELLEY HANSON Staff WriterSHADYSIDE - Shadyside police on Saturday released the names of the people involved in the motorcycle accident that killed Shadyside High School student Devron Lunsford.
At about 9:11 p.m. July 28, Shadyside resident Tabitha Bozenske, 19, was crossing the intersection of 48th Street and Central Avenue when her vehicle collided with a motorcycle driven by Wheeling resident Lauren Decker, 21.
Decker's passenger was Lunsford, 16. Both were ejected from the motorcycle. Decker's injuries were minor, but Lunsford died Aug. 17 at Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling as a result of her injuries.
According to a news release provided by Officer Dan Napolitano, Shadyside police are awaiting the results of the accident reconstruction conducted by Mark Masters, a specialist with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, before any charges are filed. The results first had to be sent to the patrol's headquarters in Columbus.
Napolitano described the collision as "high-speed." He notes in the news release that Decker's motorcycle was traveling south on Central Avenue at a high rate of speed when it struck Bozenske's vehicle in its rear quarter panel.
Bozenske was treated the following day for minor injuries, and her passenger, Jacobsburg resident Stephanie Blinco, was unharmed.
Known as "Dev" by family and friends, Lunsford was a junior at Shadyside High School. When people learned of her death, many gathered near the scene of the accident placing flowers, crosses and notes at a utility pole used as an impromptu memorial site.
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jlucas521
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01-13-09 9:06 PM
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From what i have been told, Lauren doesnt hide the fact of who her boyfriend is . So why has it not been made public???
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TheRealityPolice
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09-16-08 4:49 PM
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I know - makes you not want to eat there, huh? Makes me wonder how he got mixed up with Decker in the first place and why his wife continues to put up with it. What a mess.
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WVU1986
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09-16-08 1:57 PM
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He is still in office in the county of the accident, but not for long. He also owns a successful business in Wheeling.....
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tgbob007
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09-16-08 12:59 PM
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Concerning the terrain near that intersection, not only is there a curve and an incline, but also, the northbound lane splits close to that intersection, and begins to rise above the southbound lane. So, if you were to stop at 48th street on that intersection, you could not see around the curve, because a small hill is blocking your view. Most likely, you could not see a vehicle at 100 yards away from that spot.
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TheRealityPolice
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09-16-08 12:16 PM
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Islandgrl: Be patient girl - it will all be out soon enough. Technically, he is STILL a county commissioner - just got beat in the primary this past Spring.
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islandgrl
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09-16-08 9:51 AM
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So who is this guy? More importantly why isn't his name being released? Any regular person would have had their name and picture plasted all over the psper and tv news.Regardless if they were guilty or not. Then again when found Not guilty we never hear about that either. Media has ruined many peoples lives
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whisperinghope
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09-16-08 8:48 AM
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I have not lived in the valley for years and I see it hasn't changed much. I feel for the families. I think a good rule of thumb is if you're going to "lend" a car, motorcycle or 4wheeler to someone, don't "assume" they have a license to operate it or insurance. Most of all do you know they are responsible. I have a question? Were there skidmarks? The ending results will be interesting and tell the tale. Once again, sorry for the families.
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TheRealityPolice
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09-16-08 6:56 AM
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Ahhhh, Dilbert must be old - he said Route 7, meaning he remembers when central avenue was the ONLY route 7 - before the highway was put in. But yes, there is an incline and a bit of a curve in the road as well.
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TheRealityPolice
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09-16-08 6:53 AM
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Junebug - very good point. I heard she has relatives in Shadyside. Not sure who they are. I think it is plain odd that she'd want to come over and "play" with kids younger than her, anyway. WHAT, no friends left in Wheeling to play with? They all went off to college and left your empty brain back here? Sounds like she is desperate for attention.
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junebug
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09-15-08 4:15 PM
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If anyone is still out there reading/posting comments, please try & answer this one. If Decker is supposedly from Wheeling, her "man" is from St Clairsville, his business is in St. Clairsville, what was she doing with teenagers from Shadyside? Help!
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WVU1986
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09-15-08 1:40 PM
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Reality: You are absolutely right. In this case, the owner of the motorcycle IS an attorney, which makes this worse.
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junebug
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09-15-08 1:19 PM
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WVU 1986 I agree the family does deserve better than this. Why all the information was kept quiet I am sure is in part to WHO this person is to the "someone" that has a name in the area. I hope all the details come out & soon. Also, Decker, the motorcycle driver has been spotted driving around Shadyside on a new bike and not at decent speeds. Another accident waiting to happen to an innocent victim.
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TheRealityPolice
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09-15-08 10:15 AM
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The owner of the bike CAN be held liable. I had a college friend killed by a drunk driver who was in a rental car. He had a suspended license at the time, but a friend rented him the car - a Jeep Cherokee. He got on a major hwy going the wrong direction, at 10 pm - hit my friend's full size Ford Bronco and they both died. It was an inferno. My friend had a 3 yr old daughter. An attorney rightfully sued both e rental company AND the guy who rented the Jeep and then gave it to the drunk. For once, I was 110% in agreement with the attorney. The friend KNEW his buddy's license was suspended, but gave him the weapon, 'er car anyway.
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acousticportal
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09-15-08 8:31 AM
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There's no doubt that Belmont County politics/child services/police, etc have been questionable in their integrity, but this secondary to the devastation and loss that all are experiencing. Please give respect to those who have suffered.
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whisperinghope
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09-15-08 12:02 AM
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Dilbert can't remember, you could be right.
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Dilbert
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09-14-08 10:02 PM
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Whispering Hope: If it's true that the bike was going 107 mph then it's moving at roughly 157 feet per second or a little over 52 yards per second. I believe there is an incline when you're looking north up the southbound lane of Rt. 7. This means your line of sight is limited. In 2 seconds time the bike would've been around a football field away. It could have been out of sight. As for the owner, it varies from state to state, but "vicarious liability" may apply if there is a civil suit. See *******injury.findlaw****/car-accident/motor-vehicle-accident-liability/vicarious-liability-and-negligent-entrustment.html. Btw, I'm not a lawyer but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
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whisperinghope
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09-14-08 1:51 PM
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TheRealityPolice Sorry have to disagree with you. You can tell if a car or a bike is coming at a higher than normal speed. When in doubt wait. It's sad for all parties, you can't turn the clock back. So sad for the families. Sure the owner of the bike is responsible for who he lets use it, same as a car, you better check make sure they have a license and let's not forget insurance. I think when you are coming into on going traffic you yeild.
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tmoney
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09-14-08 1:42 PM
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What is even more interesting is that this article is not in Sunday's edition of the Times Leader.....u know...."the Voice of Eastern Ohio" Any ideas why?
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WVU1986
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09-14-08 1:40 PM
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Reality: You hit the nail on the head. There have been numerous events hidden due to this connection. This connection is married and the driver of the bike is his girlfriend.......BTW Scrappy, it does matter who owned the bike. The owner still has liability and the owner of this bike has kept this quiet for quite some time. A young girl died and her family deserves better.
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Mom2Four
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09-14-08 1:13 PM
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What the article failed to mention was "who" owned the motorcycle.....that would be a local former Belmont County Commissioner.... ======== Guess that explains all the secrecy and delay releasing any deetails.
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TheRealityPolice
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09-14-08 12:59 PM
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Part 2: As to the car being at fault, the driver stopped - looked left, saw the bike but ASSUMED it was going legal speed - which would have been 25 or 35 mph IN town - the car would have had ample time to safely pull out. Since the bike was traveling at a VERY high rate of speed, it got there 3 to 4 times faster than the car driver would have judged.
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TheRealityPolice
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09-14-08 12:58 PM
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WVU1986: You are the 1st person I have read say he owns the bike - it is absolutely true? If so, wow - that adds more credence to my next statement. The "WHO" that owns the motorcycle is 1 reason this case has been under wraps. Law Enforcement and HOPEFULLY - Chris Berthold want to make sure they have a good case. Decker has been pulled over numerous times for violations but has always managed to slip out of them, thanks to this connection. Reportedly, she also did not have a valid motorcycle operator license. If this is the case, then the owner of the bike COULD be held liable for knowingly giving her the bike that she used to invountarily kill Devron.
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whisperinghope
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09-14-08 12:04 PM
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Wow, seems both parties are responsible. If the motorcycle was speeding, didn't the driver of the car see this and should have waited to pullout onto central avenue? And if the motorcycle was going at the legal speed, shouldn't the driver of the car also seen this and waited until it was clear to travel across central avenue, which if I remember correctly has the right of way. Isn't there a stop sign at 4ith street? Doesn't that mean stop and proceed only if clear? I don't understand, sorry. I am not saying that the biker was not responsible and if speeding should be charged accordingly but not alone. My sympathy to all famlies involved.
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Justthetruth
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09-14-08 11:48 AM
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Interesting----who is at fault....if you take my gun and shoot somone am i not at fault....is it true that the speedometer on the bike is stuck at 107 mph
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tmoney
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09-14-08 11:34 AM
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Wrong again. If the car was struck in the rear quarter panel it had control of the intersection. Therefore....the motorcycle was at fault.
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